Boc Balear

Balearian Boc
The Mallorcan wild goat

Wild goats were not truly present on the Mediterranean islands before the late 9th–8th millennium BC (Masseti, 2014). In the case of Mallorca, it is believed that human colonization of the island took place between 2350 and 2150 BC, with no evidence of any earlier human presence (Alcover, 2010). The arrival of the first caprines is documented between 2300 and 2050 BC (Seguí et al., 2005).

Today, the Mallorcan wild goat exists as isolated populations with distinct genetic and phenotypic characteristics, reflecting both their ancestral traits and the effects of human management. These populations are maintained through conservation efforts linked to their sustainable and high-quality use (Barceló et al., 2017).

Morphology of the Mallorcan wild goat. Source: Hunting Service, Department of Local Development, Consell de Mallorca.

Morphology of the fine boc

The Mallorcan wild goat is slightly smaller than the domestic goat. Males weigh an average of 50 kg, while females weigh around 32 kg. The height at the withers is 70 cm for males and 56 cm for females (Seguí et al., 2005).

They have a cranial profile ranging from subconvex to convex, the latter being more pronounced in males. Their eyes are light amber in color, and the ears are broad and straight, positioned slightly above the horizontal. Both sexes have horns, with more developed horns in males—open and elongated along their axis, spiraled in the 'markhor' (prisca) style.

Females have significantly shorter and thinner horns compared to males. Their horns are arched, parallel, and non-spiraled, with tips that may be slightly spatula-shaped. The thoracic cage is rectangular with flat ribs, and the rump is sloped and flat. Both forelimbs and hindlimbs are relatively short and thick, with black hooves, as well as black mucous membranes and visible skin.

The coat is short and shiny; eumelanin (markings forming the cross) is black, and pheomelanin (base color) ranges from light red to fiery red. The facial pattern is black, affecting the lower part of the ears, the forehead, muzzle, and the tear line (Barceló et al., 2017).

hunting management

The goat population density has reached very high levels and remains high in certain areas (although the presence of hybrid goats has decreased in recent years thanks to the management of big game hunting reserves), posing a threat to the vegetation cover of the Tramuntana mountains.

Additionally, there is the issue of hybridization between fine-type goats and feral or domestically-originated goats, descended from animals brought from mainland Spain in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The rugged terrain of the Tramuntana mountains provides refuge for the goats and makes the removal of hybrid and selective individuals difficult.

In 2004, the Safari Club International (SCI) officially recognized the Balearian boc as a game species in its catalog, thanks to the invaluable support of the SCI Europe representative Norbert Ullmann and the SCI Catalunya Chapter, Francesc Martí. As a result of this event, the Balearic Commission for Big Game Hunting and Trophy Certification was established in 2006 (A. Sanz).

Today, only the hunting of fine-type specimens is permitted for commercial purposes, with the required tagging and exclusively in reserves certified for big game quality. Each harvested boc must be individually certified on site.

The hunting season for the boc lasts all year, and fine-type specimens may be hunted during any period of the year.