Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLProtection from Predators
Goats are prey animals and as such are vulnerable to predator attacks. Coyotes, wolves, bears, dogs and mountain lions will take a goat if the caprines are not well protected. A recent example of such a loss is that of Pat and Bill Christie and their two pygmy goats. By all accounts, a mountain lion scaled the 5 foot fence protecting the Christie’s goat pen in Santa Cruz, CA. The cat took down the goats leaving tell tale signs of entry not just on the goats but also on the surrounding fence.
Protection from predatory animals can be difficult in areas where the predator population is high but the implementation of LGDs (livestock guard dogs), llamas, donkeys, secure fencing and a careful program of locking goats in at night or during periods of high predator activity can help to lessen the number and severity of attacks.
