Himalayan mountain goat on the menu

Traditionally, Queenslanders haven't been big consumers of game, due in part perhaps to our short, mild winters. But those who do appreciate it, especially wild as opposed to farmed, should keep their eyes out for local menus featuring tahr in coming weeks.

Tahr, or Himalayan mountain goat, was introduced to New Zealand along with chamois in the early days of European settlement. These days it is considered a pest in some reserves and the New Zealand Department of Conservation has instigated a cull to thin out numbers. Alpine Meat Imports has just received permission to import the meat into Australia, dealing direct with the contractor for the cull.

Alpine Meat Imports director Michael Cameron says tahr meat, which is popular in New Zealand, tastes as you'd expect – like goat – but with a gamier flavour. Tahr pie, anyone?