The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency enlisted 100 goats to clear a 2.5-acre downtown lot yesterday, saying that the goats are cheaper and better for the environment than humans with weed-wackers, the LA Times reports.

The steep, weed-coated property temporarily turned to somewhat of a zoo, with downtown workers halting from their commute to gawk at the munching mountain goats. Subway riders snapped photos on their cell phones, capturing the stark contrast between the skyscrapers and the specialty-breed South African Boers. Being so close to Hollywood, many onlookers assumed the goats were part of a film set or public art installation.

George Gonzalez, goat-keeper and only paid member of the workforce, said the goats could be working on the field for up to 10 days. The Redevelopment Agency paid $3,000 to use the goats and said the cost for human workers would have been more than double. And obviously the goats don’t need lunch breaks.

The space will eventually be home to a third California Plaza skyscraper. There are no plans to use goats or any other animals later in the project, but hopefully the building process will find other ways to keep the environment in mind.

Photo Credit: Ctoverdrive on Flickr under Creative Commons license.

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