Hikers from Stourbridge rescue trapped baby goat in Wales

A heartwarming rescue mission unfolded in the rugged terrains of Snowdonia National Park in Wales when a compassionate hiking couple from Stourbridge saved a distressed baby goat trapped between rocks.

The couple, Matt Parke, 36, and his girlfriend Nicole Wassell, 29, were exploring the rocky terrain of Rhinog Fawr when they heard pitiful cries echoing in the distance. Following the distressing sounds, they stumbled upon a baby goat lodged in a crevice, struggling to free itself.

Moved by the goat’s desperate situation, Matt sprang into action. With a gentle touch to calm the scared animal, he swiftly and carefully lifted the trapped goat out of its rocky prison. Feeling the warmth and security of Matt’s embrace, the goat’s cries subsided, replaced by grateful gestures of affection as it nuzzled and licked its rescuer.

Reflecting on the dramatic rescue, Matt shared, “We were scrambling down the mountain and climbing down boulders when we heard a crying noise. We decided we would intervene with nature and help the goat. First I stroked it down to make him calm, and then with one big scoop, I picked it up. At first, it was crying, but it soon stopped and was like a baby, muzzling his face in my arms and even licking me.”

In a matter of seconds, Matt and Nicole’s swift actions saved the baby goat, a rescue that could have potentially saved its life. Drawing on his quick thinking, Matt resorted to mimicking the cries of a baby goat to attract the attention of the trapped animal’s mother, who soon came running to her distressed offspring.

Reunited with its mother, the baby goat, affectionately named Giovanni by the rescuers, was safely returned to the care and protection of its herd. Matt expressed, “The rescue took 30 seconds but we honestly believe that if we weren’t there, it would have died. I decided to cry like a baby goat to get the attention of its mother. I held the goat up and cried again, and the mother came running down. I gave the baby a kiss, and both went on their way.”

As Matt and Nicole continued their hike, a heartwarming sight awaited them as they glanced back up the mountain. Witnessing the baby goat and its mother gazing at them from a distance, it was as though the animals were bidding farewell and expressing their gratitude for the selfless act of kindness that had saved the baby goat’s life.

This remarkable and touching rescue serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of compassion and kindness, even in the most unexpected and challenging circumstances. The heroic efforts of Matt and Nicole not only saved a helpless creature but also forged an enduring bond of gratitude between humans and wildlife, leaving an indelible mark on their shared adventure in the majestic landscapes of Wales’s Snowdonia National Park.