Researchers have uncovered a remarkable genetic connection between the critically endangered Old Irish Goat and goats that lived in Ireland during the Late Bronze Age. Analysis of ancient remains found in County Armagh and County Antrim suggests the breed’s lineage stretches back around 3,000 years, making it a living link to Ireland’s agricultural past.

The findings also highlight the importance of protecting the small population that survives today. While the breed has endured for thousands of years, its recent decline has led to signs of inbreeding, adding greater urgency to current conservation efforts.

Read the full story from Queen’s University Belfast >

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