KZN goat cliffhanger

Pietermaritzburg - A goat had residents worried and rescuers on the hop after it became stranded on a ledge at the Howick Falls for four days.

The billy goat somehow managed to make its way down a cliff face and become trapped on a narrow ledge 8m below the edge of the falls.

Retired police search and rescue hero, Jack Haskins, who assisted with bringing the traumatised animal to safety, told the Daily News on Tuesday that they received a call about a goat in trouble on Monday afternoon.

Haskins said the Umgeni SPCA had initially been told about the goat’s predicament by panicked locals. They did not have the resources to rescue the goat and the Kloof RescueTech, a voluntary rescue organisation, was contacted, but staff were not able to make it out to Howick on Monday.

The Pietermaritzburg Search and Rescue Unit then responded.

“The goat had somehow managed to become stranded eight metres below the cliff face of the falls. He was in a position where he had a little space to move, but could not make his way back up because of the slippery ledge,” Haskins said.

Haskins confirmed that he and four members of the unit took an hour to get the goat to safety.

One of the members was lowered down next to the goat and a rope was then lassoed around the goat’s body. The goat was then hauled up to safety. Haskins said they took great care not to spook the animal during the rescue to avoid it jumping off the ledge.

“We are just relieved the story has a happy ending,” Haskins said.

The goat is now in the care of the Umgeni SPCA.

An employee, who is unauthorised to speak to the media and declined to be named, confirmed on Tuesdayday that the goat, while slightly dehydrated and traumatised, was recovering well from his misadventure. The animal will be returned to its herd once the SPCA confirms who owns it.