YOU’VE probably seen photos or video of nimble-footed goats climbing trees in Morocco. What’s the deal? Read on to find out:
- You can see them in Morocco, on the road between Marrakesh and Essaouira.
- The tree the goats are commonly found in are Argan trees.
- The oil extracted from the seed of the fruit these trees bear is very valuable.
- Goats are extraordinary climbers. Here are 32 photos that prove goats are the world’s best climbers.
- The goats are attracted to the fruits of the Argan tree, and with their climbing abilities it’s a cinch for them to reach it.
- Because the seed of the fruit cannot be digested by the goats, they are excreted intact.
- The seeds are then picked out of the poop and processed to get the oil.
- While cute and more profitable for farmers, the goats actually end up damaging the trees, so it’s not a very sustainable process.
- Today most of the oil comes from hand-harvested Argan fruit to protect the trees.
- Argan oil is high in vitamin E and anti-oxidants, making it a great dressing on foods (when toasted) and in skincare and hair products.
Thank you to Mountain Voyage Morocco for hosting us!