SANTA DELIVERS BABY PACKAGE CHRISTMAS EVE SEES GIFT OF GOAT.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

From behind the makeshift shelter at Hart Park, the wobbly-legged youngster peeked at visitors.

The 5-day-old San Clemente goat had no way of knowing they were there to see him - the first baby goat born at the park and on Christmas Eve. He had no way of knowing that his importance was much more than the first born, but an offspring officials hope will start a species of San Clemente goats, saving his parents and ancestors from extinction.

``It's important to their gene pool if we want to keep the sub-species of goats alive,'' said Norman Phillips, park superintendent.

The infant's mother and the male goat that could be his father arrived at the park two months ago after being brought here from San Clemente Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, Phillips said. The federal government decided to make the island a national park and wanted the goats off because they were eating all the vegetation.

But the species was at risk as well because the goats had been mating with other goats with the same gene pool since the Spaniards brought them to the island in the 1800s.

To save the goats from extinction, Phillips said a group of citizens brought them to the mainland, separated them and then introduced them to a different gene pool.

They don't have names because they could be leaving the park to breed with other goats, Phillips said. The infant will move after about six months so he won't try to mate with his mother.

But for now, the family will stay at the park used to educate children about animals and the outdoors, offer recreation to children and adults and a place to help endangered species.

The infant will spend his time learning to walk, climb up into the makeshift shelter and taking food from the people who visit.

``They are pretty agile when they are born,'' Phillips said. ``They get up and start running.''

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(color in SAC edition only) A goat brought to Hart Park from San Clemente Island watches her newborn, who was born on Christmas Eve. The baby goat will be staying at the park for about six months.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer