A TOTAL of 21 wild goats have been rescued using hay bales - after they ventured onto a treacherous outcrop on the Great Orme in Llandudno.

Officers from the animal welfare charity were contacted after the stranded goats were spotted on the unstable rocks near the sea, in an area known locally as Austin's Rock.

The animals became stranded after two female goats came into ‘season’ - and were pursued by 18 Billy goats off of safe land and towards the rocks near the sea. One kid goat was also stranded. RSPCA Cymru feared they were at severe risk from high tides at the next full moon, or from starvation due to a lack of grazing and food supply.

The charity teamed-up with Conwy County Borough Council to come to the aid of the goats, with a rescue plan put together which involved creating a path of hay bales for the goats to climb back to safety - with funding provided jointly by the RSPCA and the local authority.

RSPCA inspectors Mike Pugh and Mark Roberts laid the path of bales and thankfully, all 21 stranded goats walked back to safety using the hay bales.

Goats pre-rescue

Goats pre-rescue

Inspector Pugh said: "These goats were in real trouble - and had a rescue plan not been hatched, they would either have starved or drowned; as there was no grazing or palatable water and they were at risk from the tide at the next spring tide later this week.

"They got into trouble after two female goats came into season - and they were pursued by Billy goats ending up on an outcrop of rock and in real danger.

"We're so grateful to the local authority for their help with this operation, and delighted we have been able to help in what was an innovative rescue mission and a really good example of what can be achieved together for animal welfare.

"The plan was hatched to create a walk-way off the rocks for the goats and back to safety - so we made a tiered path of 50 hay bales, and gradually, the goats made their way back.

"Fortunately, 18 goats had got themselves to safety before the weekend - and the remaining three walked to safety over the weekend. It's a huge relief as the alternative for these animals was unthinkable."

An RSPCA officer has said the charity's work with the local authority rangers is a great example of "what can be achieved together for animal welfare", in what is the latest adventure of the local population of wild goats.

Bales put out

Bales put out

The famous Great Orme goat population has roamed wild in the area for more than a century, and were originally a gift from Queen Victoria, who also as Monarch granted the RSPCA its 'Royal’ patronage in 1840.

It is understood Lord Mostyn acquired a pair of goats from the Royal Herd and brought them to the Llandudno area; and the population grew steadily since.

Cllr Greg Robbins, cabinet member for Environment and Transportation at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank the member of the public who reported the issue with the goats initially.

"It is great news that all the goats have been brought back to safety by the collaborative working of council staff and the RSPCA.”