CONWY County Borough Council is considering a further round-up of the Great Orme goats after one was put down having been hit by a car.

The Kashmiri goats saw their popularity soar after roaming the streets of Llandudno during lockdown.

Many of the goats returned to the Great Orme or were rounded up, but a small group remained by the Little Orme, Penrhyn Hill and Craigside areas.

The RSPCA recently had to sadly put one of the goats down after being hit by a car, while warning signs have been put up on Penrhyn Hill, near where the accident took place.

A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council said: “Several organisations have an interest in the Great Orme goats for reasons of land ownership, conservation or animal welfare, including Conwy County Borough Council, Llandudno Town Council, Mostyn Estates Ltd, Natural Resources Wales and the RSPCA (Aberconwy Branch).

“Earlier this year, these organisations arranged for 20 goats to be rounded up from various areas of Llandudno where they were causing a direct traffic hazard on main roads.

“Once returned to the Great Orme, they were housed, fed and watered for a week in the pen, and then released in small groups over the course of a few days.

“A small group of goats evaded the round-up earlier this year and are currently in the Little Orme/Penrhyn Hill/Craigside area.

“We’ve erected signs on Penrhyn Hill to warn motorists about wild animals in the area.

“We’re monitoring the situation - if they don’t return through their own instincts, we’re looking at options to take them back to the Great Orme.”

Mayor of Llandudno, Councillor Harry Saville (Gogarth ward), said: "I was saddened to hear about one of the goats being hit by a car on Penrhyn Hill. 

"Wild animals straying onto the road do pose a safety hazard, so I am supportive of any practical steps that can be taken to relocate the goats back to the Great Orme for their own welfare and in turn, reduce the hazard on this stretch of road.  

"In the meantime, I am pleased that Conwy County Borough Council have erected hazard signs reminding motorists that wild animals are likely to be encountered ahead, and I would encourage all motorists around Penrhyn Hill to take extra effort to drive carefully."

The goats were initially a gift to Lord Mostyn from Queen Victoria and have roamed free in the area for roughly 100 years.

Fears for their safety were raised earlier this year after a ‘baby boom’ of the goats, with a total of 25 nannies and five billies relocated to either Bristol or Bournemouth.