Wildlife Trust Goat Herd Moves to Mount Todden on Scilly

There is a new crew working the land at Mount Todden, and they have no interest in fences.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has moved its goat herd to Mount Todden, where the animals are kept within their grazing area by collar technology rather than any physical barrier. It is a setup that asks a little something of anyone walking nearby.

Fences you cannot see

The herd wears NoFence collars, which keep the goats inside their grazing area without a single post or rail in the ground. The animals have learned where the edges are. The Trust makes the point that the goats know their boundaries, but you might not.

So if you are out on the paths around Mount Todden, the usual rule of thumb does not apply. There is nothing physical stopping the herd from being closer than you expect.

📷Credit: Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust

Why the signs matter

To give walkers a heads up, the Trust has put signs along the paths around the grazing area. They are there to tell you it is time to put dogs on leads and to be ready for an encounter with the herd.

The Trust has asked that those signs stay exactly where they are, so everyone is informed and the goats are kept safe. It has also asked that nobody removes or relocates them.

The goats are there to work. The Trust describes them as core members of its land management team, working alongside rangers to manage scrub and gorse and keep the islands looking beautiful.

📷Credit: Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust

📷Credit: Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust