Goats on the graze: four-legged team brought in to save threatened grassland in Leeds
‘This is all part of our ambition to be the UK’s first nature positive city’
An unusual herd of goats has been brought to a field near Roundhay Park to help protect biodiversity and restore a threatened habitat.
The goats have been introduced to Asket Hill, where they will graze on shrubs and brambles to naturally manage the grassland.
The steep and uneven terrain has made the site difficult to maintain using traditional machinery, with conservation grazing providing a more natural alternative.
The rare-breed goats supplied by Castle Howard-based Mossy Oaks are able to live outdoors all year round in harsh conditions, making them ideal for maintaining habitats for wildlife.
Asket Hill is recognised as a local wildlife site because of its species-rich lowland meadow - a threatened habitat which supports a wide range of wildflowers and insects.
These in turn provide an important food source for birds and bats, with the council hoping the goats will help protect the habitat without the need for machinery.
Species-rich grasslands have declined by 97% over the last 50 years, with losses continuing.
Conservation grazing with goats mimics the role traditionally played by wild herbivores, helping to prevent the grassland from becoming overgrown while allowing more delicate wildflowers to thrive.
Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said the scheme was a “fantastic way” of managing the grassland.
He said: “Asket Hill has been a challenge to look after due to it being very steep and uneven, so getting these goats in is really brilliant and lets us protect our vital biodiversity.
“This is all part of our ambition to be the UK’s first nature positive city.”
Oli from Mossy Oaks said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to work with Leeds City Council to provide an effective and nature friendly solution to restoring the species-rich grassland at Asket Hill.
“The goats grazing will leave a perfect habitat for more delicate wildflowers to start to recolonise whilst leaving space for wildlife.”
The goats will remain on Asket Hill until November 12, while volunteers from Mossy Oaks help to check on them while they are on site.
Visitors are being asked not to pet or feed the goats and keep dogs on leads when nearby.
The project is currently being run as a pilot scheme, with plans for the goats to return to Asket Hill each year.