In pictures: three goats released on Howth Head

THREE GOLDEN GUERNSEY goats have been released onto the heathland on Howth’s Head as part of a project to save the area’s biodiversity.

Fingal County Council has placed the animals on the mountainside to help with the grazing of vegetation which has lost some of its integrity because of invasive species such as birch trees, bracken and brambles.

The council wants to keep the heather and gorse low-growing and the goats should help achieve this.

Calls have been put out for volunteer herders to commit to helping out in the area between now and the end of October when the goats will return to their traditional farm in Newbridge for the winter.

The council’s biodiversity officer Deborah Tiernan told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that training will be provided to all those who sign up. She said that if you can tell when a dog is happy, you will be able to tell when a goat is.

In pictures: three goats released on Howth Head

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Goats for Howth
Goats for Howth
Goats for Howth
Goats for Howth
Goats for Howth

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