Llandudno's goats to be rounded-up in wake of A470 deaths

Andrew Forgrave
·3-min read
As numbers have risen, Llandudno's goats have begun to expand their range
As numbers have risen, Llandudno's goats have begun to expand their range -Credit:Hadyn Iball/North Wales Live


A round-up of Llandudno’s goats is planned later this year in an attempt to curb numbers. It follows concerns the animals are becoming “increasingly brazen and dangerous”, culminating in last month’s death of four goats on the A470.

The casualties were part of a splinter herd of male goats that, during the Covid pandemic, established themselves in woodland near the A470 Wormhout Way. Their deaths prompted calls for road signs in the Conwy resort to warn motorists of the animals’ presence.

Llandudno’s goat population began booming during successive lockdowns because experts could not supply contraceptives. When food is scarce, the frisky Kashmiri goats have been venturing down from the Great Orme in ever greater numbers.

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As they started exploring further, and even establishing a breakaway herd, there have been fears for their safety. Conwy Council has previously said it won’t fence in the goats as it doesn’t want to become solely responsible for the animals’ welfare. Instead, the local authority has been working on a plan to manage the animals and minimise conflict with residents.

Partners include the RSPCA, which has now confirmed a round-up will occur later this year. This will allow the goats’ health and welfare to be assessed – and for contraceptives to be provided if necessary.

Another of the groups involved is National Resources Wales (NRW). It told Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders that full round-ups should take place every three years. But the last was missed due to the pandemic and because of the difficulties capturing part of the herd in 2021.

Ms Finch-Saunders said stock checks were vital as Llandudno's tourism-friendly goats were becoming bolder and posing greater risks to themselves and the public. She said: “The animals will be rounded-up this year to keep the numbers within the agreed limits of between 100 and 160.

“I suspect that, following a full round-up, this number may actually be higher. I look forward to working with everyone to ensure that incidents like last month’s road collision do not happen again.” The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up

During summer the Kashmiri goats tend to return to the Great Orme
During summer the Kashmiri goats tend to return to the Great Orme -Credit:Karl Eastwood

Last year Conwy Council revealed Llandudno had 153 goats, including the small splinter group. Recently, 21 goats were rounded up from the Craig y Don area and relocated to the Great Orme.

To manage the goat population, the local authority is working with Llandudno Town Council, Mostyn Estates, NRW and the RSPCA. Numbers roaming the town typically surge in Spring as billies descend from the Great Orme in search of food.

Experts say they are likely to return to the Great Orme when the annual rut begins and remain there for the summer. Conwy Council only relocates the goats back to the Great Orme if they pose an “unacceptable risk to human or animal welfare”. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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