Arapawa Island Goat

The Arapawa goats are among the few survivors of the Old English milch (milk) goat which is now extinct in their native England. They may have been introduced in New Zealand as early as the late 1830s by the first European settlers, who established a shore whaling station on the island. Goats were recorded at the station in 1839, disproving an original suggestion that they are the descendants of goats released in New Zealand in the eighteenth century by James Cook. Left on Arapawa island to breed as a future source of food and milk by explorers, the goats came under seige in the 1970's. The goats have been recognized by the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand. A number of Arapawa goats have been removed from the island over recent years and are now being bred by a few enthusiasts in various places throughout New Zealand. They are also maintained in a reserve on Arapawa Island itself. They were exported to the USA in 1993 and to Great Britain in 2004. The goats are colorful with distinctive markings and brown and black patchwork.