Kao and Mama Goat

Goats are escape artists! There is an entire herd of goats at home, not at the refuge, who belong to the neighbors. We have a wire fence separating the properties but somehow these very smart, industrious goats have escaped many times onto our property where we have some delicious trees and shrubs for them to eat. We don't know how they do it. First one of the baby goats escaped and we were able to lift her back over the fence and gently place her on the other side. We call her Kao, the Hawaiian word for goat. She immediately ran over to her mama. This is a photo of the white baby Kao and her Mama. She must have told the others of the secret escape route.

Last night one of the goats from the neighbor's property escaped and ended up in the outdoor studio. In the middle of the night there was a ruckus and screaming and the goat was being being attacked by a dog. After much yelling and threatening the dog ran off. The goat was pregnant and the next morning she had a stillborn birth. We were devastated. We buried the stillborn and gave the mama her favorite juicy leaves. Wally, the caretaker, is coming to get her. We need to figure out how the goats are escaping from their pasture. It is not safe on this side of the fence.

I was told that sheep love to relax in their space, but goats will circle the perimeter endlessly trying to find a way out. That seems to be true for our neighbor's goats. They are escape artists. We love their determined spirit.