About Our San Clemente Island Goats

San Clemente Island is located off the coast of southern California. It is owned by the US government and used and managed by the US Navy. Goats were first introduced to the island from a previously seeded population that was imported from Santa Catalina Island to San Clemente Island (about 68 miles west of San Diego, CA) in 1875. When the US Navy eventually became responsible for the island in 1934, hunting and trapping of the goats was allowed up until 1972. At this time a survey concluded that there were 15,000 goats on the island and that they represented a nuisance to native plants and wildlife. As a result, a systematic removal program was begun to reduce the goat population. By 1980 an estimated 4,000 goats still remained on the island. 

To continue more effectively with the goat population removal, the Navy proposed a shooting program to be conducted from helicopters. This program was blocked in court by the animal welfare group Fund for Animals. Under the court decision, goat trappers were brought in to remove approximately 3,000 goats from the island that were to be returned to domestication. Fund for Animals placed most of the animals with agreements that the goats would not be bred by the new owners. Other San Clemente Island goats went directly from the barges that brought them off the island to individuals and farms.

The Livestock Conservancy, in collaboration with the University of Cordoba in Spain, conducted a DNA study of the breed in 2007 and found that the San Clemente Island goat is a genetically distinct breed and unrelated to the numerous other breeds in the study. The findings raise many questions about the origin of the San Clemente Island goat and further study is needed to gain a better understanding of this unique breed, so this unique goat remains on the Livestock Conservancy Conservation Priority List.

San Clemente Island Goats are generally a small to medium breed. Their size can vary. The breed is known for their characteristic brown & black “San Clemente” coat, but there are other color variations. 

Structurally, they are fine boned and deer like, and they are hardy and self-sufficient with excellent mothering skills.

San Clemente Island Goats are a multipurpose breed which can be utilized for dairy, meat, brush clearing, and potentially fiber.  

They produce creamy high butterfat milk

 There are approximately only 1,700 San Clemente Island Goats in 27 states and 3 provinces.  

 The information above is compiled from The Livestock Conservancy and San Clemente Island Goat Breeders Association