Lake Martin Topics: Goat Island

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	Name:	Webmaster -
	Subject:	Goat Island
	Date:	8/13/2009 6:24:26 PM

I was told by the former stocker of goats (years ago) that the problem was dogs scaring the goats into the lake and the goats drowning.

Research online says goats can swim if they have to but they hate getting wet, so would only do so to save their skins. I've observed more than one instance where a mammal has either gone into the lake or fell into the lake and could not get out because the bank was steep. Years ago our neighbors had some visitors and early one morning I found a Boston Bulldog floating legs-up in the water. All we could figure is he fell into the lake at night and drowned. Many animals are not going to have the smarts to swim 50 feet around the seawall to find the gental slope. They will eventually tire trying to climb the bank or wall. Same could happen with goats.

In my opinion, I think what is happening is people have good intentions visiting the goats. They take their dogs with them (as many lake goers do), not realizing the consequences. There's no telling how many times someone has watched their precious Fido bark goats into the water only to watch in horror as goats drown. Which obviously goes unreported... I bet there is guilt felt too. It's a problem of nature that was setup by man. Much of the bank on Goat Island is steep.

I know there was at least one incident years ago where goats were shot. That is why there are "No Firearms" signs on the island that Alabama Power placed there. I only mention this, but most of the time drowning was the suspected cause.

I have an old Lake Martin map (circa 1950) that calls that island "Sheep Island"... Makes me wonder if people used to put sheep on the island.

As far as other lakes, I find "Goat Island" all over the place. At least 103 times in my data of the United States (6 in Alabama). For some reason, putting goats on islands is a popular thing to do, not just at Lake Martin. Not to judge the ethicalness... I only report what I see.

Bruce

Goat Island

Point of Interest - Island