Send in the goats: Toronto to use 'eco-herd' to tackle invasive species
If the pilot project is successful, officials plan to keep using the goats.
Toronto officials have recruited a team of "eco" goats to tackle the city's Don Valley Brick Works Park.
These goats, in their natural element, will play a crucial role in maintaining the urban meadow by doing what they do best ... eating.
The herd will partake in "prescribed" grazing, a practice used to combat invasive, non-native, or non-combatible plant species, the city says in a press release.
"Approximately 40 goats will graze for an intensive two-and-a-half day aimed at protecting and maintaining the meadow habitat," the release says.
"The goats are provided a secure enclosure, where they can graze in a herd, which is a natural behaviour. The goats are never used for purposes other than grazing and are always provided direct access to water and shelter, with 24-hour supervision and on-call veterinary care while in the park."
Toronto Field Naturalists will monitor the pilot project's success by assessing conditions before and after grazing.
When grazing, the goats won't discriminate. They'll eat everything in their path, including native plants. But research suggests the invasive species will re-grow at a slower rate, giving native plants a better chance to thrive.
If deemed to have a positive impact, officials hope to bring the goats back to the park for rotational grazing.
Thumbnail image for illustration purposes only. File photo via Canva Pro.
