MEET RANIA, THE 11-YEAR-OLD GOAT WHISPERER

KUALA NERUS, July 2 (Bernama) -- A young girl's dream to rear goats became a reality in 2020 when her father ventured into goat breeding as additional income for the family. 

Like 'Malaysia's Mowgli' Muhammad Syukur Khamis, a young boy who has an unusual friendship with his buffaloes, Wan Rania Amanda Wan Mohd Faizal, 11, has formed an extraordinary bond with 228 goats reared by her father, Wan Mohd Faizal Wan Zulkefli, 37, in Kampung Baroh Tok Jiring.

Wan Rania Amanda, more affectionately known as Rania, said her interest in these animals began when she visited her aunt for a sacrificial rite at seven.

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Drawn by the goats' cuteness, the eldest of five siblings wished she could raise the animals one day.

"I love playing with these goats; they are so cute! From the beginning, I never felt scared. I always feel happy when I'm near them. When I'm at school, I can't wait to go home and follow my father to the pen," she said, adding that come what may, she would never miss an opportunity to visit the farm. 

The girl who aspires to become a veterinarian even has two Nigerian Dwarf pygmy goats named Rague and Jane as her companions at home.

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Thanks to her interest and love for these animals and her father's guidance, Rania is now skilled in feeding and milking the goats at the pen by herself.

She also knows how to administer the appropriate medication if the animals suffer from sicknesses such as stomach aches and diarrhoea.

Wan Mohd Faizal said he is proud of his daughter's ability to befriend his livestock when other children Rania's age might still be afraid.

Seeing her deep interest and natural affinity with the livestock, Wan Mohd Faizal began to expose Rania to the field of animal husbandry seriously.

"I see that she can understand animals. She seemed to get along well when I introduced her to goat management methods. Now she can feed them, and if any of them have stomach aches or diarrhoea, she knows what treatment to give," he said.

"I want her to be knowledgeable in animal husbandry. It's great that she can ignore her gadgets when she's with these goats. Now she uses her gadget for learning purposes, like finding information on how to care for animals in unforeseen situations," he said.

Last year, her daughter made money via TikTok by selling 25 goats, earning a profit of up to RM2,500, said the proud father.

-- BERNAMA