Feral kids moved to the Avon Gorge

Six feral goats have been introduced to the Avon Gorge to help save rare wildflowers.

A fenced area of the Avon Gorge – the Gully – has seen the introduction of the goats to help control the growth of scrubby vegetation.

The project is being run by Bristol City Council and Natural England as part of the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project.

The area used to home grazing sheep until the start of the 1900s, after which the sheep were moved and the grassland and rare plants disappeared.

Spokesperson for Natural England, Chris Westcott says: “The Avon Gorge is internationally recognised for its wildflower rich grassland and rare plants that grow on the rocky outcrops and grassy slopes. Over the last century the grassland and rare plants have suffered a significant decline.

“By introducing goats to help manage scrub re-growth we are enabling these rare plants to re-establish, grow and spread.”
For more information, visit: www.avongorge.org.uk