Feral animals get society's goat

Feral goats rounded up on Banks Peninsula have become the focus of attention of the Canterbury branch of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society.

Rare breeds enthusiast Warren Caesar noticed some of the male goats were unusual with their long wild grey hair and temperaments to match.

"When they came back we recognised they were something special. They just look so different. They have real long fibre and it just drapes over them."

Society members consider they are very similar to early Scottish goats, and may have been released in the early days of Canterbury settlement.

A small breeding group has been selected and will be maintained by Mr Caesar while more information is sought on their origin and breed.