CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A herd of 220 goats were quite the spectacle Friday in Chula Vista as SDG&E handlers moved them across Hilltop Drive to a new grazing site along one of the energy company’s transmission corridors. SDG&E utilizes the goats to clear vegetation and reduce wildfire risk at several locations around the County of San Diego throughout the year.
“I’ll tell you what, it’s probably like their favorite salad and you know, this is something that they really are great at,” said Roland Franklin, Communications Advisor for SDG&E. “Really what’s special about their digestive system is it kind of kills off the seeds when they eat them, as opposed to traditional landscaping methods where we’re mowing. That kind of just drops the seeds and it’s more difficult to mitigate.”
With help with traffic control from Chula Vista Police and SDG&E volunteers, Hilltop Drive became a goat crossing around noon as the herd moved toward their new grazing area.
“They heard the idea of goats crossing the field, crossing the road, and they’re like, ‘Mommy, let’s get out there and see what they do,’” said SDG&E employee and mother, Allison Torres, who brought her two children to see the goats up close.
Over the past few days, the herd welcomed a couple of new arrival baby goats, which melted the hearts of onlookers who gathered to admire the little ones.
“It’s just giving them exposure to all different areas,” said Torres. “They learn so much in school but to be able to get out here, get your feet dirty, your hands dirty, roll up your sleeves and just have a good time with some goats this morning is really going to be a fond memory of theirs.”
“The community really loves coming out and learning about these goats and how they make an impact in the community reducing the risk to wildfires,” said Franklin. “And seeing some cute goats so it’s a positive thing.”
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