CAMPAIGNERS have raised concerns an historic goat herd that has laid siege to “Scotland’s rainforest” could be driven to extinction under a new population control programme.
The Inversnaid goats, whose ancestors are said to have helped shelter Robert the Bruce as he fled his enemies, face a programme of contraceptive darting after damaging their protected habitat to such an extent that conservation and forestry bodies have moved to control the feral population.
Campaigners including the Strathard Community Council are calling for more information about the contraceptive programme and especially the long term effects of the process.
They will meet with RSPB Scotland in November to seek reassurances over the herd's future.
A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said the contraceptive programme was a more humane way to control numbers, and the charity will dart a limited amount.
The effect of contraceptive is expected to last about three years.
While it is said the Bruce declared the goats protected, the ancient herd has no such official protection.
The reserve contains Bruce's Cave, in front of which the goats are said to have lain down to deter English troops from entering and finding the Bruce after his defeat at the battle of Dail Righ against the English allies, Clan MacDougall of Argyll, in 1306.
One heritage source said: "Robert the Bruce was pretty active in the Loch Lomond area, so there may be some truth to the notion of him using the goats as some form of early warning system about the approach of enemy troops."
Campaigner and resident Fiona Alexander said: "Although this has been touted as a more humane measure by the RSPB Scotland, repeated use which they fully intend has been shown in trials to cause permanent infertility, so locals are arguing that this amounts to a recipe for extinction.
"Although feral/wild goats do not have protected status in Scotland, locals argue that this is a unique and well loved herd with a powerful history which is part of the life blood of their area, worthy of preservation."
A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said: “Counts of the feral goat population by ourselves, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and neighbouring landowners reveal that there are between 300 and 500 animals in this area.
"We are hoping to treat approximately 100 with immuno-contraceptive and potentially moving 50 to another location.
"We will be monitoring the recovery of this important woodland annually and modifying our actions accordingly.”
A spokesman for Forest Enterprise Scotland said: “Managing the goat population on the land that we manage around Loch Katrine and Loch Ard - and keeping it at a level which will be in balance with our habitat restoration work - is a significant and ongoing challenge.
“We appreciate that this is a sensitive topic for many locals and we do consult regularly with local communities to make sure that they are informed of our approach."
Ian Bray of Scottish Natural Heritage said: “Pollochro Woods are among the best woodlands in Scotland.
"But very few young trees are surviving and growing because they are being eaten by goats and deer, putting the future of the woodland at risk.
"Monitoring shows that high numbers of goats are the main problem affecting the woodland, so we recognise that there is need to manage the goats at Inversnaid.”
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