Bagot goat
Capra hircus bagot
Bagot goats are believed to be Britain's oldest breed of goat. They get their name from Sir John Bagot who was the owner of the first recorded herd brought to England in 1389. They are even featured on the Bagot family coat of arms!
They have a distinctive two-toned coat - the front half, including the head, neck, and shoulders (and sometimes down their legs), is a sleek black. Their back half is a bright white. Some Bagot goats also have a white blaze running up their face. Both males and females have impressive and long curved horns.
We are home to six Bagot goats here at Edinburgh Zoo – Patrick, Janice, Judith, Freddie, Frankie and Grace.
Patrick, Judith and Janice arrived at the zoo in November 2021. The group have since welcomed three kids, and can be found next to the members gate.
Population
Stable
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Grasslands
Fact file
Bagot goats are believed to be Britain’s oldest breed of goat
They are surprisingly tolerant of rain, usually only seeking shelter in heavy downpours
Bagot goats often have a white stripe or star shape on their head
Like most goats, Bagot goats are browsers. This means their diet consists mainly of leaves, twigs, shrubs, and other tasty plants they find
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care, our Bagot goats are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about?RZSS conservation