Goat News: September/October 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
In “Goat News” we share goat stories of the current, odd, fun, and important. If there are stories that you’d like us to cover or want to share with us, please email: goatjournal@gmail.com.
Mama Mia’s Cliffside Rescue: How One Feral Goat United a Community
It’s not every day that a feral goat becomes the center of a week-long rescue mission involving jet skis, a helicopter, and a crew of determined animal lovers — but that’s what happened when Mama Mia found herself stranded on a steep cliff above the crashing waves of Hawaii’s coastline.
The terrain was brutal — 120 to 175 feet of vertical, loose rock leading down to the sea break. And the goat? Wild, wary, and increasingly weak as the days wore on. But thanks to a team of passionate rescuers, including Debbie Cravatta of Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service (KARES), two rappellers, two spotters, a goat expert from 3C Goat Grazing LLC, and support from Vertical Worx, Mama Mia’s story took a turn for the better.
Goat Journal received an exclusive firsthand account from Mark Crivello, the man who led the mission with a broken hand (from an unrelated story)!
“On this mission, we had what I like to call our A-Team,” Crivello told us. “Just in case things got really nasty with our rescue, we even had two jet skis and a helicopter on standby.”
The first two attempts were stopped by dangerous weather. “This goat was feral, and she gave us a run for our money that week,” Mark said.
But the team didn’t give up. “We started to notice she’s getting weaker as days go by,” Mark explained. “So, we coaxed her down the cliff where it would be a little safer for her.”
On day six, the team arrived to a calm, clear morning. “We said our morning prayers, and all of us just looked at each other and said, ‘Today is the day we are bringing Mama Mia up to safety.’” That day, two rappellers descended the cliff, roped Mama Mia, and secured her for the journey upward. “After we got her up, it was now time for our 1-hour walk back to the vehicles. Of course, Mama Mia needed to be carried.”
It was a moment of triumph. “Thanks to the team, this rescue was successful!” Mark said. “It was such a blessing to see how everyone came together to help this beautiful goat.”
And Mama Mia’s story didn’t end there. Now safe in Mark’s herd, she’s pregnant — and thriving. “After the community has come together to help Mama Mia, now she’s happy helping our communities with fire-fuel load reduction,” Mark shared.
Debbie summed it up best: “Mark was instrumental in saving her life.”
Mama Mia’s rescue is more than a feel-good story — it’s a testament to what happens when people with heart, skill, and a shared love for animals come together.
To keep up to date with Mamma Mia or to support KARES, visit www.KaresHawaii.org/about-us
Goats Help Spain Prevent Wildfires—One Bite at a Time
In the dry hills of northeastern Catalonia, a herd of 300 goats is helping prevent wildfires by eating flammable plants such as thistles, brambles, and cacti. Guided by two shepherds, the goats clear natural firebreaks that slow the spread of flames — doing work that machines often can’t reach and without the noise or emissions.
This EU-funded pilot project in Mataró is reviving traditional grazing as a modern tool for land management. The goats reduce fire risk while also producing high-quality milk prized by local cheesemakers. But for shepherds Francesc Teixidó and Pedro Alba, the real value lies in protecting the land and preserving a way of life that’s increasingly rare.
Teixidó left windsurfing for herding 14 years ago. Alba, a former touring musician, turned to goats during the pandemic to raise his son in a quieter, more grounded setting. Together, they guide the herd through rugged terrain using working dogs and years of experience. Their efforts are part of a growing movement to use livestock for ecological restoration and fire prevention.
Across Spain and beyond, targeted grazing is gaining traction — from wild horses in Galicia to goat patrols in California and Nevada. Goats are cost-effective, reach steep areas, and offer a sustainable way to manage fire-prone landscapes. They also help restore biodiversity by keeping invasive plants in check and allowing native species to thrive.
Some regions are adding GPS tracking and pairing grazing with crop production to support shepherds and reduce conflict with tourism. It’s a simple, nature-based solution to a growing climate challenge — and it’s working. As droughts and wildfires become more common, these goats are showing that land stewardship doesn’t always require heavy machinery — sometimes it just takes a hungry herd and a good plan.
Kenny Coogan lives on a permaculture landscape and runs a carnivorous plant nursery. His educational TV series, “Florida’s Flora and Fauna with Conservationist Kenny Coogan,” will come out in the summer of 2025. Listen to him co-host the “Mother Earth News and Friends” podcast at www.MotherEarthNews.com/podcast.
Originally published in the August 1, 2025 digital issue of Goat Journal
