Gang of goats RETURN! Uninvited four-legged friends seen strolling around deserted streets of a seaside town during lockdown yet again
- Mountain goats spotted in Llandudno, North Wales by Andrew Stuart on Friday
- Herd returned to coastal town over weekend and was photographed again today
- Kashmiri goats believed to be descended from a pair gifted to Queen Victoria
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
A herd of goats has once again taken over the deserted streets of a seaside town during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
The mountain goats were first spotted taking advantage of the empty roads in Llandudno, North Wales by Andrew Stuart on Friday night.
The wild herd was seen ‘having a midnight feast’ on bushes in the coastal town as residents stayed home due to social distancing measures, before reappearing to ‘run riot’ in Trinity Square over the weekend.
Photographs taken today show the Kashmiri goats – which usually live on the rocky Great Orme – had returned again to munch on plants and jump on fences.
Mountain goats roam the streets of Llandudno, North Wales today amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown
The herd lives on the rocky Great Orme but are occasional visitors to the seaside town
It is believed the animals had come to the town as they wait for the spring growth of grass, and have been wandering the streets due to a lack of residents and tourists.
Mr Stuart, who has lived in Llandudno for 22 years, said he called the police after he noticed the animals near his home on Friday, writing on Twitter: ‘I think I just got a group of goats in Llandudno arrested’.
He said he noticed the goats having ‘a midnight feast’ on hedges as he joked the herd were breaking isolation rules by gathering in a large group and not keeping the required two metres apart.
In another tweet, he said: ‘They were probably going to run riot on the town, what with nobody being about due to the lockdown.
The herd was seen ‘having a midnight feast’ on bushes in the coastal town and strolling past closed shops as residents stayed home due to social distancing measures
A group of Kashmiri goats sunbathe in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno today
A goat rests next to a reserved parking space sign near Holy Trinity Church in North Wales
A mountain goat strolls past a shuttered shop today after the herd descended on the town once again
The mountain goats were first spotted taking advantage of the empty roads in Llandudno, North Wales by Andrew Stuart on Friday night (Pictured: Goats outside a church today)
‘I also wasn’t sure if they were keeping the required two metres apart.’
He said North Wales Police officers attended the scene in a patrol car, adding: ‘I’m sorry if the goats got arrested. But they were being very naughty.’
The animals returned over the weekend, and were still destroying garden bushes, eating leaves in Trinity Square in the town centre, and sleeping in a churchyard on Tuesday.
Mr Stuart said that although the Great Orme ‘goat overlords’ usually only leave their territory on the coastal headland to take refuge in the outskirts of the village in windy weather, ‘they’re now going further than ever’.
Goats are seen munching on grass outside the Alexandra Hotel in Llandudno, North Wales today
Mr Stuart said he called the police after he noticed the animals on deserted streets on Friday, writing on Twitter ‘I think I just got a group of goats in Llandudno arrested’ (Pictured: the goats today)
A group of mountain goats munch on plants after wandering the streets of the coastal town
One goat was seen standing outside of the closed Upper Crust sandwich and coffee bar
Conwy Council told ITV News there was nothing they could do to stop the goats roaming the town.
A spokesman said: ‘Goats going into town is nothing unusual, particularly at this time of year, there is no way of stopping them. ‘
The Great Orme headland is home to a herd of around 200 wild goats, which are thought to be descended from a pair of Indian goats presented by the Shah of Persia to Queen Victoria in 1837.
North Wales Police have been contacted for a comment.
Three goats roam a residential street in Llandudno, Wales after travelling from the Great Orme
Others relaxed in a churchyard near to a bus stop amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown