Goat vs gecko: A tiny Caribbean island faces wildlife showdown

Terre de Haut, France: The tiny Caribbean island of Terre de Haut boasts pristine turquoise waters and deserted coves. It also has goats, hundreds of...

Terre-de-Haut, France: The tiny Caribbean island of Terre-de-Haut boasts pristine turquoise waters and deserted coves. It also has goats, hundreds of them.

There are as many goats as humans on the island and, while they charm the tourists as they roam on the beaches and graze in the gardens, there is a darker side to this uncontrolled feral herd.

They ravage protected areas, munch through vegetation and destroy the habitats of other animals -- some of which are endangered and endemic to Terre-de-Haut and other islands in Les Saintes archipelago.

Officials on the island chain, which is part of the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, are now considering drastic action.

The animals could be shunted into designated grazing areas then, after health checks are carried out, they could be used for meat.