Overview
Early Europeans were quick to release pigs and goats as a food source for castaways. The animals adapted readily to a southern hemisphere breeding cycle and the mild climate enabled breeding throughout the year. The native vegetation was rapidly modified and many smaller islands were reduced from bush cover to more open grasslands.
Goats Capra hircus, were introduced by James cook in 1773, and liberations continued for more than a century. Although early liberations were intended as food for castaways, later liberations were made to control blackberry, or establish better quality angora stocks in the wild. In the 1980's many farmers established herds of angora stock when prices were high, however, as the market collapsed, these herds were often left to become feral. The range goats occupy is still increasing in many mainland areas, however recent attempts have eradicated goats from most offshore islands.