VELENIKI, Croatia — With wavy horns and a sturdy build, the Istrian goat stands proudly on Croatia’s national flag. But in the pastures where the white-furred animal hails from, the breed is almost nowhere to be seen.
For centuries, the domestic goat was a staple of rural life in Croatia’s Istria peninsula, an enchanting region home to rolling hills and picturesque coastline.
But from a population in the thousands in the mid-20th century, the goat’s numbers have dwindled down to a few dozen, prompting local authorities to launch a conservation program with the help of local breeders.
“It is crucial to preserve the Istrian goat since it is an indigenous breed,” said Ivan Mi…
Keep on reading: Croatia acts to save its iconic Istrian goat