Goats grazing on precariouslysteep hillsides is a common sight, but perched high atop the branches of a tree? That's a sight you will only see if you go all the way to the North African country of Morocco. 17 more images after the break...
The nimble animals are not a special species, just normal goats that have learnt to adapt to the country's aridenvironment, where their main source of nutrition comes from the tiny berries that grow on the Aragan tree.
Since the trees are sometimes as high as 30 feet, the only way the goats can get to the berries, is by scaling up. Over the years, they have not only figured out how to climb, but also prance around nimbly from branch to branch like ballerinas.
While the climbing goats are in itself fascinating, what is even more interesting is what happens with the goat 'poop' after they have eaten the Aragan berries. The dried-up droppings are collected by the locals, who wash them and then grind and press them to extract oil - Used, for cooking and cosmetic purposes.
Though the whole thing may sound a little gross, Aragan oil is reputed to be very healthy and highly coveted, with a quarter liter of good 'quality' oil retailing for, as much as, $50 USD!
Once in my life time i have never seen such goats grazing atop the tree branches. Really Great....!!
ReplyDeletethese devilish animals are one of the main reasons for "desertification" and top soil loss now and from the times of the ancients!! they ruined ephesus' harbor and it's olive covered hillsides!!harbor silted up from slides!THEY ATE THE LEAVES,THE BARK,THE ROOTS AND ALL OF THE OLIVES!...NO OLIVE OIL NO TRADE!
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