Getting to know Diablo by Andrea White, Supervisor Animal Care
/“He’s not bad”, says Andrea, HEEFS Supervisor, Animal Care. “Diablo is truly misunderstood.” In this article we’ll take a closer look at Diablo, who he is, and why he does the things he does.
Diablo arrived at HEEFS on May 15, 2015, after spending his life at a petting zoo. He was born in 2009, making him 11 years old, and approaching his senior years – although you’d never know it! As full of life and playful as ever, Diablo has a reputation for living up to his name, which can, in part, be attributed to the treatment he received early on in his life.
Diablo is talking to us
While the complete story of his younger years is unclear, we do know that at some point Diablo was kept in his own stall at the petting zoo after showing signs of “aggression”. This may sound like a good idea, but it most likely served to intensify Diablo’s anxiety. Goats are herd animals and can become depressed or anxious when kept on their own. This anxiety is something that has stayed with Diablo and can be seen in some of his more excitable traits.
Diablo’s situation before HEEFS has led to behaviours which are often labeled “aggressive”, but “aggressive” is an oversimplification of what is actually going on with him. What Diablo is demonstrating is a need to defend himself from what he perceives as a danger. This fear-based response was likely encoded in Diablo at a young age as a result of some trauma. It is a natural instinct that all animals, including humans, have to protect themselves, their family and their territory.
Understanding what he’s saying
There are certain tell-tale signs that a goat is uncomfortable, many of which Diablo expresses daily while our other goats express only on rare occasions. These behaviours, which include an arched back, headbutting and rearing, tell us that Diablo is in need of his own space at that point in time. While these are “normal”, and even daily behaviors for Diablo, they might be concerning in, say, a goat like Catherine who rarely exhibits any of them.
Closer talkers may not be tolerated
We all need our personal space, and that includes goats. As with many animals, each goat has a different “flight zone”. This describes the space around them in which they feel comfortable. Diablo typically has a very wide flight zone – meaning he likes most people to keep their distance, while someone like Abraham has a smaller one and welcomes more face-to-face interaction. This “flight zone”, however, not only varies from animal to animal, it can also vary depending on who is interacting with the animal. For example, if a particular person has gained the trust of a resident, that resident might allow them to come closer while insisting that other keep a greater distance.
When it comes to Diablo, and all of HEEFS residents, we are always watching their behaviour and getting to know their individual triggers. Diablo, for example, is particularly excited by food. And, while it may seem like a good idea to enter his space with a tasty food offering, this can make him very excited and trust us when we tell you, you do not want over 200 pounds of excitable goat and powerful horns checking out what’s in your hands!
When it comes to any resident, whether they are named “Diablo” or something more angelic, their behaviours are not random and they are not good or bad. Their behaviours are a result of past experiences or a reaction what is happening in the moment. It is our job, as their caregivers, to understand what they are saying to us and to respect their individual needs.
