'Don't feed goats' warning after carrot lodged in animal's mouth

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23ppzxgr04o

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Chalky (right) and Shaka joined the herd in May

People are being warned not to feed the goats on Bournemouth's cliffs after keepers had to dislodge a carrot to prevent one of them from choking.

Bournemouth Goats, which cares for the herd, said the animals were unable to chew in the same way as humans and needed a carefully-planned diet.

It said the large piece of carrot could have had "serious consequences" for Chalky, the male goat that had it lodged in his mouth.

Last month, keepers had to ask people to stay out of the goats' enclosure after visitors were spotted climbing over the fence to pet the animals.

The large chunk of carrot fed to the goat could have had "serious consequences"

In a Facebook post, the group said: "Giving food to our goats - even just a little - can be the difference between life and death for them.

"And here's something most people don't realise, goats' teeth aren't like ours.

"They have no upper front teeth.

"They use a hard dental pad to rip and grind their food. This means they can't chew certain foods properly, increasing the risk of choking or causing dangerous blockages in their digestive tract."

The animals were introduced in 2009 as a natural solution to control cliffside vegetation.

Keepers said food safe for humans could be toxic to goats, and even tiny amounts of the wrong food could cause "painful and deadly bloat".

"One 'kind' handful of bread, crisps, fruit, or garden clippings can kill them," they said.

"If you want to help our goats... never feed them. Their lives depend on it."

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