Hanging by a hoof: Goat trapped for days on steep Hawaiian cliffside

HAWI, Hawaii (KHON) – Locals on Hawaii's Big Island first spotted a goat on a cliffside near the town of Hawi three days ago and fear it's growing weak.

"Time is running out, you know, on this poor animal, and it looks like it must have fallen to that spot," said Debbie Cravatta, founder and president of Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service.

She said locals have been keeping an eye on it every day.

Cravatta said the goat may be a pet that appears to have fallen about 300 feet from the top of the cliff at Hawi. It's about another 100 feet to the ground.

Concerned residents contacted federal, state and county agencies, but didn't get a response. The terrain in the area is treacherous and steep. Without much more they can do from the ground, they're looking for help from someone with a helicopter – and heart.

"Because once they get to it, and if they have to carry it up or down it, it's better if we could get that goat in a bucket and away, because if it is scared, just even, like if it was a cat or dog, if you make the wrong move, it may plunge to its death in fear," Cravatta said.

While some might shrug off the effort to save a single goat, animal advocates say it's a matter of empathy, the kind of compassion that makes Hawaii special.

"We share the Earth with lots of creatures. Who decides who lives and who dies? Who's, you know, indigenous of the islands, and who's, you know, out there to be killed, because it's an invasive species. Aren't we all invasive species to one degree? So we're going to save the ones we can the ones that cross our path," Cravatta said.

The Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service said if it's a pet, they'll try to find its home. If it's feral, they plan to give it medical care and release it back to the wild. Anyone who may be able to help with rescuing the goat, is asked to call the Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service at (808) 333-6299.