Croatia acts to save its iconic Istrian goat
For centuries, the domestic goat was a staple of rural life in Croatia's Istria peninsula, an enchanting region home to rolling hills and picturesque coastline.
But from a population in the thousands in the mid-20th century, the goat's numbers have dwindled down to a few dozen, prompting local authorities to launch a conservation programme with the help of local breeders.
"It is crucial to preserve the Istrian goat since it is an indigenous breed," said Ivan Milohanic, a 32-year-old bus driver, whose herd of goats includes some 20 of the heavy-set white Istrians.
But from a population in the thousands in the mid-20th century, the goat's numbers have dwindled down to a few dozen, prompting local authorities to launch a conservation programme with the help of local breeders.
"It is crucial to preserve the Istrian goat since it is an indigenous breed," said Ivan Milohanic, a 32-year-old bus driver, whose herd of goats includes some 20 of the heavy-set white Istrians.
The goats are milked by hand and graze for a few hours daily at a meadow close to the Milohanic family's farm house, where he also grows olives, grapes and hosts tourists.
"Also, there is a strong interest in genuine natural products," he added, noting the health benefits of the goat's milk and meat.
Milohanic, one of a handful of local breeders raising the goats, started years ago and aspires to run a small cheese factory in future.
Milk and meat
The animals were for many years a key food resource, providing milk and meat for villagers too poor to afford a cow or sheep.
"Also, there is a strong interest in genuine natural products," he added, noting the health benefits of the goat's milk and meat.
Milohanic, one of a handful of local breeders raising the goats, started years ago and aspires to run a small cheese factory in future.
Milk and meat
The animals were for many years a key food resource, providing milk and meat for villagers too poor to afford a cow or sheep.
Croatia's Istrian goat population has dwindled down to a few dozen, prompting local authorities to launch a conservation programme with the help of local breeders
The Istrian goat has been an enduring symbol, featuring on flags and coat of arms
Boro Mioc, a professor at the Zagreb University Faculty of Agronomy who is helping the project to revitalise the Istrian goat population, said goats would at one time be found at practically all farms
Laws in the 19th and 20th centuries practically banned keeping Istrian goats, which were considered forest-destroying pests
"The most important goal is to return our debt towards this animal, whom we proclaimed a pest without justification," says Gordan Subara, of the government's agency for Istria's rural development, in charge of the rehabilitation project
Olgica Skopac, 66, says the goats are an additional attraction for tourists who stay in apartments at her farm
In 2012, the Istrian goat was added to Croatia's list of indigenous and protected species