Arapawa goat

An Arapawa goat with the breed's characteristic coloration (foreground only)

The Arapawa Goat is a breed of feral goat descended from Old English milch goats released on Arapaoa Island off the coast of New Zealand. It is directly descended from a breed of English landrace goat which no longer exists in its native England. Extremely rare today, a few have been exported to North America and other regions. These goats were originally put on Arapaoa by the inhabitants of the bay named Te Awa Iti Whaling Station in the early 1800s. The Arapawa Goat is a delightful breed which happily settles down with other breeds of goat when kept in captivity. In 2004 six goats were brought from Arapaoa Island to the UK to preserve the bloodline.

By the dedication of Betty Rowe the goats of Arapaoa Island were preserved when the New Zealand Department Of Conservation wished to cull them entirely. Through direct action the goat still survives today but annually there is a cull. Many goats live in the Sanctuary set up on the island.

From the original six goats brought to the UK there are now herds being built up around the country. In 2009 the first Arapawa Goat doe was brought to Mid Wales and in 2010 the first Arapawa buck arrived. It is hoped that in 2011 the first Welsh Arapawa will be born.

In 2014, the BBC reported that "only around 150" goats of the breed exist.^[1]

References

• Arapawa Island