The Gran Canaria Cabildo has opened the application period for authorisation to capture wild goats in public mountains and protected areas of the island. The captures can take place until 2030.
The Environment Department of the Gran Canaria Cabildo has launched a new call for individuals to request authorisation for the live capture of wild goats on the island. The application period starts this coming Monday and extends for 15 working days.
The captures, which is the traditional term for this practice, can be carried out over the next five years, from 2026 to 2030, in public mountains and in a series of protected natural areas where the presence of these animals has been detected.
Among the authorised areas are the Integral Natural Reserve of Inagua, the Special Natural Reserves of Los Marteles and Guguy, the Natural Parks of Tamadaba and Pilancones, the Rural Park of Nublo, and the Natural Monuments of Tauro and Riscos de Tirajana.
Goats can also be captured in the Special Conservation Areas (ZEC) Ojeda, Inagua and Pajonales, Los Marteles, Guguy, Tamadaba, Pilancones, El Nublo, El Nublo II, Macizo de Tauro and Riscos de Tirajana, except in the exclusion zones of these protected areas.
The aim of this measure is to control the population of wild goats, which can cause damage to vegetation and compete with native fauna. The capture will be carried out using traditional methods, such as rope or pole with rope, always with a stop to prevent harm to the animals.
The obtained authorisation does not allow the use of mass or non-selective methods, which are expressly prohibited. The captured specimens may only be intended for the personal human consumption of the authorised individuals, and under no circumstances may they be subject to commercial activity or introduced into livestock farms.
To obtain the authorisation, it is necessary to have completed two training courses provided by the Cabildo: one on animal welfare and another on risk prevention in the context of live captures of wild animals. Those who have already completed them in previous editions may also apply for the permit.
Interested individuals must submit their application using the official model available on the Gran Canaria Cabildo website. The 15 working day period begins this coming Monday.
This initiative seeks to reconcile the conservation of natural spaces with a traditional practice that also provides meat for the consumption of the participants. Managing wild goats is a constant challenge on the island, where these animals reproduce easily and can disrupt ecosystems.
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