Hundreds of grazing goats are making their return to a Calgary park this week to munch on weeds and dead vegetation.
Starting Wednesday, around 800 goats will graze an 58-hectare area of the Rubbing Stone Hill Natural Parkland Zone at Nose Hill Park for two weeks
The city’s annual goat grazing program helps to maintain the ecosystem of the park by allowing the animals to feed on overgrown vegetation and turn soil over with their hooves.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to environmentally responsible weed and pest control,” reads a release from the city. “Goats, with their similar grazing habits to elk and bison, have been chosen to help restore balance and increase ecosystem health.”
The herd of goats will be monitored around the clock by a shepherd and trained herding dogs, according to the city.
Physical interaction with the animals is prohibited, but the park will remain open to the public.
Program ambassadors will be at the park near the 64 Avenue NW parking lot during specific days and times to provide education to visitors on the value of grazing. The ambassador schedule can be found here.
The 64 Avenue lot will be partially closed on Wednesday and on Sep. 17 and 18 to make room for moving the animals in and out of the park.
The animals have been grazing at Nose Hill Park since 2016, as part of the city’s plan to restore 20 per cent of open space in Calgary by 2025.