THUNDER BAY — The newest member of the grasscutting team at the Mount Baldy Ski Area arrived as a surprise.
"Griffon" the goat was born last week to a doe the staff didn't even realize was pregnant.
Co-owner Dan Kardas said they were aware that two other goats were expecting, but not Griffon's mom.
"We thought maybe she was just eating really well," Kardas told TBNewswatch.
"I went up with my son and my brother to feed the goats. Then I decided to look over the hill to see how their work was going. There was mama looking at me with the baby beside her."
Kardas put on some gloves to carry Griffon to a shelter that's been prepared for the new arrivals, and its mother trailed closely behind.
"He's doing really good," he said.
Mount Baldy has posted video of the baby and its mom on Facebook.
The ski hill has used goats to keep its slopes clear of vegetation for the last few years.
It initially rented animals from a local farm, but this year acquired its own herd of 24.
The Kardas family got the idea for using goats from observing the practice at various locations in Europe, but believes theirs is the first Canadian ski hill to opt for natural clearing rather than mechanical.
"We have 350 acres of land to clear. The main reason is that most of the steeper runs are so rocky and rugged," Kardas said, explaining that it can be challenging to cut grass in those conditions with motorized trimmers.
He said there are also several side benefits.
"You're not using gas, for one thing. And believe it or not, the fertilizer from their poop is amazing for the hill. Everything turns lush green, and they eat the brush and shrubs down so well that eventually the shrub dies out."
