The Domestic Goat and the Wild Goat are treated here as separate species (following inter alia Shackleton 1997), named Capra hircus and Capra aegagrus respectively. These taxa are sometimes considered to be conspecific, in which case the name Capra aegagrus has generally been used to refer to the wild species and its domesticated form, although some authors use the name Capra hircus for both the wild species and its domestic descendants (see Gentry et al. 1996, BZN 2003, Gentry et al. 2004 and Grubb 2005). "Wild goats" and "wild sheep" found on Mediterranean islands are generally recognized to have been introduced by humans (Shackleton 1997, Wilson and Reeder 2005), and a number of genetic and archaeozoological studies suggest that they are feral populations of ancient domestic stocks (e.g., Groves 1989, Vigne 1994, Hiendleder et al. 1998, Manceau et al. 1999, Kahila Bar-Gal et al. 2002; but see Horwitz and Bar-Gal 2006), with the implication that they should be included in the respective domestic species (Capra hircus, Ovis aries) and not as subspecies of the wild taxa (as proposed by Gentry et al. 1996, Gentry et al. 2004, and Gippoliti and Amori 2004).

However, a more recent genetic study suggests that these “wild sheep” and “wild goats” were introduced to certain Mediterranean islands in their wild form and released as a food source (for hunting purposes), with the implication that they should be treated as part of the wild species (Horwitz and Bar-Gal 2006). Further research is needed to clarify the phylogeny of Mediterranean insular Caprinae (Horwitz and Bar-Gal 2006). This assessment focuses on the anciently introduced Mediterranean island populations, and treats them under the name Capra hircus, pending further insights on their phylogeny; modern domesticated and feral goats are not treated here.

European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)
EU 27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

This Red List rationale refers only to anciently introduced populations of "wild" goats on Majorca and certain Greek islands. As they are considered to be feral descendants of early domestic stock, they are assessed as Not Applicable (NA). The total population of these animals is >20,000, and although the range is small (area of occupancy may be less than 2,000 km²) and there are problems in parts of the range with hybridisation with domestic goats and poaching, the population trend overall is believed to be stable or increasing. However, the Cretan subpopulation (subspecies cretica) has a very restricted range (the National Park is about 50 km² and can be considered as a single location) and is threatened by hybridisation. These ancient feral forms are of interest as "living fossils", representing the very earliest domestic stock little changed from its primitive state, and deserve protection.

This Red List assessment refers to populations of Capra hircus that were introduced to Mediterranean islands in prehistoric times, known as Cretan or Majorcan "Wild" Goats, or as Agrimi (Cretan populations only). These feral descendants of primitive domestic stock are clearly distinct from modern domestic and feral goats, and are of conservation interest as "living fossils" and repositories of important genetic diversity (Shackleton 1997). More recent feral populations are not considered here; neither are domestic Capra hircus.

"Wild" goats can be found in mountainous areas in northern and western Majorca (Spain), and on Crete (Greece) where they were formerly widespread but are now restricted to an area of approximately 72 km² in the Lefka Mountains at the western end of the island. There is a small, semi-captive subpopulation on the small (68 ha) satellite island of Theodorou (Shackleton 1997, Palomo and Gisbert 2002). Subpopulations on the Greek islands of Dia, Agii Pantes (Agii Apostoli), Erimomilos (Antimilos), Samothrake, Gioura and others, are all considered hybrids of "wild" and modern domestic or feral goats (Shackleton 1997), as are subpopulations in Czechia (Pedrotti and Lovari 1999). There are genetic and morphological differences between the Cretan and Majorcan subpopulations (Seguí 2005). The species occurs from sea level to 1,450 m (Palomo and Gisbert 2002).

The 1985 Cretan subpopulation was estimated to be around 500 Agrimi, and together with those on Theodorou Island, make a total population of at least 570 to 600 Agrimi in Europe at that point (Shackleton 1997). More recent population estimates vary widely, but some are as large as 2,000 individuals (G. Giannatos pers. comm. 2006). It occurs at high densities in at least parts of its range on Crete, although its total range is very small. In 1998, a census of Majorca found 20,000 individuals (Palomo and Gisbert 2002), although this included hybrids and feral domestic goats (B. Seguí pers. comm. 2007). The more recent (2007) estimate of the Majorcan Wild Goat population is 1,500–2,000 individuals, out of a total of 10,000 including hybrids and feral descendants of modern domestic goats (B. Seguí pers. comm. 2007).

Agrimi inhabit mountainous areas, where there is a mixture of rocky outcrops or scree slopes and vegetation (shrubby maquis thickets or conifer forests). They tend to be found in relatively arid habitats, and are herbivorous, feeding on grasses, herbaceous plants and shrubs (Pedrotti and Lovari 1999).

For the Cretan subpopulation, the greatest threat is hybridisation with recently feral Domestic Goats that are common even within Samaria National Park. Other problems arise from increased road accessibility, which in turn increases tourism and poaching problems. In Majorca, hybridisation with feral domestic goats is again the main threat (Palomo and Gisbert 2002).

The goats in Greece are exploited for meat and sport.

It is listed (as Capra aegagrus) on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats and Species Directive (natural populations only).

On Crete it is fully protected under national law, which is well enforced. Part of the Agrimi's distribution on Crete falls within Samaria (Lefka Ori or White Mountains) National Park. There are no current management plans in operation other then an attempt to control poaching. Agrimi inhabiting Theodorou island also receive protection. Shackleton (1997) proposed the following measures for Agrimi on Crete: 1) Establish a strict control program to eliminate feral goats inside Samaria National Park to remove the threat of hybridisation with the Agrimi. Only reducing or eliminating the herds of domestic goats from the surrounding areas will prevent their immigration into the Park. 2) Continue improving the control of poaching by regularly patrolling the Park during winter, and by allowing no further increases in access. 3) Impose greater controls on tourism developments in the Park. These should include banning the development of major tourist facilities (chair/ski lifts, hotels, restaurants, roads, etc.) in the mountain regions of the Park and its surroundings, and strictly controlling visitor use (e.g. specific hours of use enforced, no overnight use of the Park). 4) The population should be censused and the area surveyed regularly throughout the Lefka Mountains, paying special attention to the degree of hybridisation and human encroachment. 5) Overall, it may be desirable to eradicate domestic x wild goat hybrids, unfortunately, F1 hybrids are difficult to distinguish from agrimi in either external appearance or behaviour. (However, compared to Agrimi, the hybrid's coat appears to be slightly longer and interspersed with black hairs, the horns are curved outwards a little more and are more robust, and the resting tail is held more horizontal than downwards.) 6) Determine the degree of hybridisation of the goats found on the various islands to help direct conservation management decisions.

On Majorca, the Wild Goat has been studied since 2001 and several groups have been protected in fenced areas and captive-bred (B. Seguí pers. comm. 2007). Palomo and Gisbert (2002) recommended that selective hunting should be used to remove the hybrids from the population. Since 2006, hunting of pure-bred animals has been banned (Decret 91/2006, Balearic Government) but hunting of hybrids and recent feral domestic goats is allowed and encouraged. Trophy hunting of Mallorcan Wild Goats will be allowed again once populations have reached target levels, as stated in Decret 91/2006. To prevent poaching, capturing alive animals for trade, and illegal hunting of hybrids for commercial purposes, the Balearic Government is collaborating with SCI and Junta Nacional de Homologación de Trofeos de Caza, MMAM, Spanish Government (B. Seguí pers. comm. 2007).