Story: Introduced animal pests

‘Judas goat’

‘Judas goat’

Judas was the biblical character who betrayed Jesus, leading to his death. This Judas goat on Black Peak, Central Otago, is fitted with a collar carrying a radio transmitter. Judas goats are taken by helicopter to areas where there are feral goats. A social animal, the unwitting traitor will soon find a group to roam with. Hunters return a few weeks later, guided by the radio signal, and shoot all the animals except the Judas goat, which is then flown to another area.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10038679
Photograph by P. Hondelink

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How to cite this page:

Bob Brockie, 'Introduced animal pests - Deer, goats, pigs and wasps', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10136/judas-goat (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bob Brockie, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 1 Jul 2015