A GOAT stranded on a mountain ledge 100-foot from the ground was help by a kind father-and-son who fed the animal using a make-shift catapult.
The goat was trapped on a ledge on the side of a mountain at Trem Y Moelwyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Kevin Williams - a member of the public who spotted the troubled goat at the remote location - had been firing carrots up to the goat using a catapult with his son Iago, to help the animal in her hour of need.
An RSPCA rope rescue team was deployed to reach the goat - safely placing the animal into a bag, and lowering her to safety.
The animal welfare charity has since praised the "immense kindness" Mr Williams and his son - who reported the trapped goat to the RSPCA.
The goat trapped on the mountain
RSPCA inspector Vicky Taylor - who led the exercise, with inspectors Nayman Dunderdale, Jenny Anderton, Mike Pugh and Mark Roberts, and animal collection officer Ann Lloyd-Williams, said: "Rescues such as this are notoriously difficult.
"The conditions need to be right to ensure safety, so we had to monitor this situation very closely.
"We're so grateful to Kevin Williams and his son Iago, who reported this to us - and showed immense kindness to the goat by utilising a makeshift catapult to fire carrots up to the animal. This was undoubtedly a great help, and when we reached the goat, we found plenty of half-eaten carrots - showing the goat was clearly very grateful.
"Fortunately, our rope rescue team was able to reach the goat - which was some 100-feet up, and totally stranded on a mountain ledge. We then put the goat into a bag, and safely lowered her down.
Inspector Dunderdale on the cliff
"She was understandably a little shaken up - but was fine after a thorough welfare assessment; and we were able to return her to the wild."
RSPCA officers were able to undertake the rescue after North Wales Police identified the grid reference location of the goat.
Mr Williams said: "My son Iago and I are very happy this goat was rescued safely. We spotted her, contacted the RSPCA, and wanted to help keep her safe.
"We had the idea of firing carrots up to her, to help keep her fed and well.”
The wild goat is set free
This rescue was completed last month, before the Covid-19 outbreak.
To help the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.
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