|History of the Savannah Goat The Savannah Goat in South Africa:
Preserving a Proud Heritage Brian Payne, Dr. Frank Pinkerton
Grapeland, Texas, January 19, 2003 The Savannah goat in South
Africa was first recognized as a distinct breed with the
formation of the Savannah Goat Breeders Society on November 21,
1993. At this time a Breed Standard was drawn up and the Society
joined the South African Studbook Association (Campbell, Origin
and Development of Savannah Goats). A common misconception in
North America is that Savannahs are “white Boer goats”. Nothing
could be further from the truth! Mr. Keith Ramsay, Registrar of
Livestock Improvement in the South African National Department
of Agriculture, suggests that “the breed is phenotypically
different to the Improved Boer Goat…my main criteria when I
recommended that they be recognized as a separate breed. Initial
genetic distancing also supported this. The Savannah is a more
compact animal – shorter legs.” (personal communication) History
scholars also suggest