View source for Biology:Gävle goat

{{short description|Straw Christmas goat in Gävle, Sweden}}
[[Image:Yule goat Gefle Sweden 2009 crop.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|Gävle goat (2009)]]

The '''Gävle Goat''' ({{lang-sv|Gävlebocken}}, {{IPA-sv|ˈjɛ̌ːvlɛbɔkːɛn}}) is a traditional Christmas display erected annually at Slottstorget (Castle Square) in central Gävle, Sweden. The display is a giant version of a traditional Swedish [[Biology:Yule goat|Yule goat]] figure made of [[Biology:Straw|straw]]. It is erected each year by local community groups at the beginning of [[Religion:Advent|Advent]] over a period of two days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Goat film |url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/English/VISIT-GAVLE/THE-CHRISTMAS-GOAT/Goat-film/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528014110/http://www.merjuligavle.se/English/VISIT-GAVLE/THE-CHRISTMAS-GOAT/Goat-film/ |archive-date=28 May 2013 |access-date=1 December 2012 |publisher=Mer Jul i Gävle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=bocken |url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/upload/MerJul/filmer/bocken.avi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320011830/http://www.merjuligavle.se/upload/MerJul/filmer/bocken.avi |archive-date=20 March 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=Mer Jul i Gävle}}</ref>

The Gävle Goat has been the subject of repeated arson attacks; despite security measures and a nearby fire station, the goat has been burned to the ground most years since its first appearance in 1966. {{As of|December 2023|post=,}} 42 out of 58 goats have been destroyed or damaged in some way. Burning or destroying the goat is illegal, and the Svea Court of Appeal has stated that the offence should normally carry a 3-month prison sentence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Engelro |first=Erik |date=4 January 2018 |title=Bockbrännare får höjt straff |newspaper=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/gavleborg/bockbrannare-far-hojt-straff |via=}}</ref>

Since 1986, two separate Yule goats have been built in Gävle: the Gävle Goat by the Southern Merchants and the Yule Goat built by the Natural Science Club of the School of Vasa.

== History ==
[[File:Brannd bock crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.35|The Gävle goat after being burned down during a blizzard in 1998]]

The Gävle Goat is erected every year on the first day of [[Religion:Advent|Advent]], which according to Western Christian tradition is in late November or early December, depending on the [[Physics:Calendar year|calendar year]]. In 1966, an advertising consultant, Stig Gavlén (1927–2018),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/rL27Me/gavlebockens-pappa-ar-dod |title=Gävlebockens pappa är död |date=November 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101184319/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/rL27Me/gavlebockens-pappa-ar-dod |archive-date=1 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> came up with the idea of making a giant version of the traditional Swedish [[Biology:Yule goat|Yule Goat]] and placing it in the square.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/In-English/ |title=The biggest Christmas Goat in the world |publisher=Gävle Tourist Office |access-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925010951/http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/In-English/ |archive-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The design of the first goat was assigned to the then chief of the Gävle fire department, Gavlén's brother Jörgen Gavlén. The construction of the goat was carried out by the fire department, and they erected the goat each year from 1966 to 1970 and from 1986 to 2002. The first goat was financed by Harry Ström. On 1 December 1966, a {{convert|13|m|ft|adj=on}} tall, {{convert|7|m|ft|adj=on}} long, 3-tonne goat was erected in the square. On New Year's Eve, the goat was burnt down,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/9708830/Christmas-2012-The-Swedish-goat-that-takes-Christmas-by-the-horns.html|title=Christmas 2012: The Swedish goat that takes Christmas by the horns|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=28 November 2012|access-date=30 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130033202/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/9708830/Christmas-2012-The-Swedish-goat-that-takes-Christmas-by-the-horns.html|archive-date=30 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CityGuide>{{cite web|url=http://cityguide.se/gavle/attraktioner/?category=attraktioner&article=3|language=sv|work=Gävle City Guide|title=Gävlebocken|publisher=CityGuide|year=2003|access-date=24 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613065040/http://cityguide.se/gavle/attraktioner/?category=attraktioner&article=3|archive-date=13 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the perpetrator was found and convicted of vandalism. The goat was insured, and Ström got all of his money back.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Gävle goat timeline|url=http://www.soderskopman.se/historia.html|language=sv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612075120/http://www.soderskopman.se/historia.html|archive-date=12 June 2008 }}</ref>

A group of businessmen known as the Southern Merchants ({{lang|sv|Söders Köpmän}}) financed the building of the goat in subsequent years. In 1971, the Southern Merchants stopped building the goats. The Natural Science Club ({{lang|sv|Naturvetenskapliga Föreningen}}) of the School of Vasa ({{lang|sv|Vasaskolan}}) began building the structure. Their goat was around {{convert|2|m|ft}}. Due to the positive reaction their Yule Goat received that year, they built another one the following year and from then on.<ref name="NF">{{cite web|url=http://hem.passagen.se/nf1/bock/bock.htm|title=Julbocken|publisher=Naturvetenskapliga Föreningen|language=sv|access-date=26 August 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217093233/http://hem.passagen.se/nf1/bock/bock.htm|archive-date=17 February 2012}}</ref> The Southern Merchants began building their own goats again in 1986.<ref name=CityGuide/>

The cost for the 1966 goat was 10,000 Swedish kronor (SEK) ({{Inflation|SE|10,000|1966|2009|fmt=eq|cursign=SEK}}).<ref name=arbetarbladet>{{cite news|title=New goat is already on the way|publisher=Arbetarbladet |language=sv|date=6 December 2005|url=http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?avdelning_2=0&id=350212|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001102/http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?avdelning_2=0&id=350212|archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> The price tag for constructing the goat in 2005 was around SEK 100,000. The city pays one-third of the cost while the Southern Merchants pay the remaining sum.

==Repeated destruction==
[[File:Gävle goat on December 21, 2009 crop.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|The Gävle goat in December 2009]]

The display has become notable for being a recurring target for vandalism by [[Social:Arson|arson]], and has been destroyed many times since the first goat was erected in 1966.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/gavlebocken-pa-plats---hur-lange-far-den-sta/ |title=Gävlebocken på plats – hur länge får den stå? |work=Expressen |access-date=23 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105220653/http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/gavlebocken-pa-plats---hur-lange-far-den-sta/ |archive-date=5 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Because the fire station is close to the location of the goat, most of the time the fire can be extinguished before the wooden skeleton is severely damaged. If the goat is burned down before 13 December, the feast day of Saint Lucia, the goat is rebuilt. The skeleton is then treated and repaired, and the goat reconstructed over it, using straw which the Goat Committee has pre-ordered.<ref name="arbetarbladet"/> {{As of|2005|post=,}} four people had been caught or convicted for vandalizing the goat.<ref name=Arbeterbladet>{{cite news|title=TV 3's Most Wanted is now eager to solve the goat mystery|publisher=Arbetarbladet|language=sv|date=7 December 2005|url=http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?id=350410&avdelning_1=101&avdelning_2=0|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001236/http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?id=350410&avdelning_1=101&avdelning_2=0|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> In 2001, the goat was burned down by a 51-year-old American visitor from Cleveland, Ohio, who spent 18 days in jail and was subsequently convicted and ordered to pay SEK 100,000 (US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|100000|SWE}}}}; {{Inflation|US|11655.01|2001|fmt=eq|cursign=US$}}) in damages. The court confiscated his cigarette lighter with the argument that he clearly was not able to handle it. He stated in court that he was no "goat burner", and believed that he was taking part in a completely legal goat-burning tradition. After he was released from jail he returned to the US without paying his fine.<ref name=christmasgoat /><ref name=DagensNyheter /><ref name=AP2005 /><ref name="localsg">{{cite news|title=Santa and gingerbread man get Gävle's goat|date=4 December 2005|url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=2620|work=The Local|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208053819/http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=2620|archive-date=8 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="afton">{{cite news|title=That's why I burned the goat in Gävle|publisher=Aftonbladet|language=sv|date=17 December 2003|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/debatt/story/0,2789,406509,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128225108/http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/debatt/story/0,2789,406509,00.html|archive-date=28 January 2007}}</ref>

In 1996, the Southern Merchants introduced camera surveillance to monitor the goat 24 hours a day. On 27 November 2004 the Gävle Goat's homepage was hacked, and one of the two official webcams changed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gävle Goat gets hacked |language=sv |publisher=Aftonbladet |date=27 November 2004 |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,567577,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125212523/http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0%2C2789%2C567577%2C00.html |archive-date=25 January 2007}}</ref> One year, while security guards were posted around the goat in order to prevent further vandalism, the temperature dropped far below zero. As the guards ducked into a nearby restaurant to escape the cold, the vandals struck.<ref name=DagensNyheter>{{cite news|title=The goat is burning!|language=sv|publisher=Dagens Nyheter|date=12 December 2003|url=http://www.dn.se/DNet/road/Classic/article/0/jsp/print.jsp?&a=213592|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001145657/http://www.dn.se/DNet/road/Classic/article/0/jsp/print.jsp?&a=213592|archive-date=1 October 2007 }}</ref>

During the weekend of 3–4 December 2005, a series of attacks on public Yule Goats across Sweden were carried out; the Gävle Goat was burnt on 3 December. The Visby goat on Gotland burned down, the Yule Goat in Söderköping, Östergötland was torched, and there was an attack on a goat located in Lycksele, Västerbotten.<ref>{{cite news|title=The night of the goat-burners|language=sv|publisher=Göteborgs-Posten|date=3 December 2005|url=http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=119&a=246603|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155402/http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=119&a=246603|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Police receives tips about the goat-burnings|language=sv|publisher=Göteborgs-Posten|date=5 December 2005|url=http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=361&a=246588|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154957/http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=361&a=246588|archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>

The Christmas season of 2006 marked the 40th anniversary of the Gävle Goat, and, on Sunday 3 December, the city held a large celebration in honor of the goat. The Goat Committee fireproofed the goat with "Fiber ProTector Fireproof", a fireproofing substance that is used in airplanes. In earlier years when the goat had been fireproofed, the dew had made the liquid drip off the goat. To prevent this from happening in 2006, "Fireproof ProTechtor Solvent Base" was applied to the goat.<ref name=christmasgoat>{{cite web|last=Forsberg|first=Rose-Marie|title=The famous christmasgoat of Sweden|url=http://christmasgoat.se/cms/|access-date=6 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206080327/http://www.christmasgoat.se/cms/|archive-date=6 December 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=merjuligavle>{{cite web|title=Mer Jul i Gävle|url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/merjuligavle/mjig_sida.aspx?id=11|access-date=6 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815100914/http://www.merjuligavle.se/merjuligavle/mjig_sida.aspx?id=11|archive-date=15 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Not even napalm can set fire to the goat now|publisher=Aftonbladet|language=sv|date=1 December 2006|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,944925,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126105654/http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0%2C2789%2C944925%2C00.html|archive-date=26 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Santa Fe New Mexican|url=http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/53159.html|title=Swedish city strives to safeguard Christmas straw goat from vandals|date=4 December 2006|agency=Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite their efforts, the goat has been damaged or destroyed a total of 38 times. On 27 November 2016 an arsonist equipped with petrol burned it down just hours after its inauguration.<ref name="localse"/><ref name="dtse"/>  After a few flame-free years under 24-hour security, the goat was again burned on 17 December 2021.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sweden's Gävle goat torched... again|date=17 December 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59696442}}</ref> In 2023, it was severely pecked at for grain by [[Biology:Western jackdaw|Jackdaws]], due to the straw used to construct the goat containing higher than usual amounts of seeds. 
[[File:2023-Gävlebocken.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|The Gävle goat in December 2023]]

==Natural Science Club's Yule Goat==

[[Image:Gavle burned NF goat 2006.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|left|The burned Natural Science Club Goat in 2006, with the larger Gävle goat visible in the distance]]

Since 1986 there have been two Yule Goats built in Gävle: the Gävle Goat by the Southern Merchants and the Yule Goat built by the Natural Science Club of the School of Vasa. Until 1985 the Southern Merchants held the world record for the largest Yule Goat, but over the years the Natural Science Club's goat increased in size, and in 1985 their Yule Goat made it into the ''Guinness Book of Records'' with an official height of {{convert|12.5|m|ft}}. The creator of the original 1966 goat, Stig Gavlén, thought that the Natural Science Club's goat had unfairly won the title of the largest Yule Goat because the goat was not as attractive as the Southern Merchants' goat and the neck was excessively long. The next year there was a Goat war: the Southern Merchants understood the publicity value, and erected a huge goat, the Natural Science Club erected a smaller one in protest. The Southern Merchants had intended that their huge goat would reclaim the world record, but the measurement of the goat showed it fell short. Over the following seven years there were no further attempts on the world record, but there was some hostility between the Natural Science Club and the Southern Merchants, evidenced by the fact that the Natural Science Club put up a sign near their goat wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone, except the Southern Merchants.<ref name="NF" />

In 1993 the Southern Merchants again announced that they were going to attempt the world record. The goat stood {{convert|10.5|m|ft}} when completed. The Natural Science Club's Yule Goat that year measured {{convert|14.9|m|ft}}, which earned them another place in the ''Guinness Book of Records''.<ref name="NF" />
{{clear left}}

==Timeline==

=== 1966–1969 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 1966
| 
| {{no|{{dts|31 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|-
| 1967
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1968
| Fence added.<ref name=CityGuide/>
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1969
| Inside of goat protected by chicken-wire netting.<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|{{dts|31 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|}

=== 1970–1979 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 1970
| 
| {{no|Six hours after construction}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}
| The goat's destruction was blamed on two drunk teenagers. With help from several financial contributors, the goat was reassembled out of lake reed.
|-
| 1971
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Smashed to pieces}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Weird ritual of the burning goat|publisher=BBC News|date=4 December 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4497408.stm|access-date=24 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630105641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4497408.stm|archive-date=30 June 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>
| The Southern Merchants became tired of their goats being burned down, and stopped constructing them. The Natural Science Club from the School of Vasa took over and built a miniature goat.<ref name=Sploid>{{cite news|url=http://www.sploid.com/news/2005/12/santa_torched_t.php|title=Santa torched the giant goat!|date=4 December 2005|work=Sploid|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117124224/http://www.sploid.com/news/2005/12/santa_torched_t.php|archive-date=17 November 2006}}</ref>
|-
| 1972
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Collapsed}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1973
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Stolen}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=14 saker du inte visste om julbocken i Gävle|url=https://www.expressen.se/allt-om-resor/resmal/europa/sverige/gavlebocken--har-ar-14-saker-du-inte-visste/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Allt om Resor|language=sv}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Gartéus|first=Madeleine|date=2016-11-27|title=Gävlebockens liv och död|url=https://www.gp.se/1.3995023|access-date=2021-12-01|website=gp.se|language=sv}}</ref>
| The goat was stolen by a man, who then placed it in his backyard. He was later sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated theft.<ref name=":3" />
|-
| 1974
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1975
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Collapsed}}<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=2015-11-26|title=Gävlebocken på plats|language=sv|work=Dagens Nyheter|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/gavlebocken-pa-plats-1/|access-date=2021-12-01|issn=1101-2447}}</ref>
| The goat collapsed under its own weight.<ref name=":4" />
|-
| 1976
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Hit by a car}}<ref name=AP2005>{{cite news|title=Vandals Burn Swedish Christmas Goat, Again|agency=Associated Press|date=4 December 2005|location=Stockholm|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/04/AR2005120400225.html|access-date=3 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015024621/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/04/AR2005120400225.html|archive-date=15 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBC2008>{{cite news|title=Festive goat up in flames again|author=BBC News|date=27 December 2008|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7801156.stm|access-date=1 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217050218/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7801156.stm|archive-date=17 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
| A student rammed the hind legs of the goat with a [[Engineering:Volvo Amazon|Volvo Amazon]], collapsing the structure.<ref name="CityGuide" />
|-
| 1977
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|-
| 1978
| 
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Kicked to pieces}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1979
| After the first goat was burned, a second was fireproofed.
| {{no|Prior to assembly}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire / Broken}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| The goat was burned down before construction even finished.<ref name="CityGuide" /> A second goat was constructed and finished, but was later destroyed and broken into pieces.<ref name=Sploid />
|}

=== 1980–1989 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 1980
| 
| {{no|{{dts|24 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1981
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1982
| 
| {{no|{{dts|13 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1983
| 
| {{dunno}}

| {{no|Legs destroyed}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1984
| 
| {{no|{{dts|12 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1985
| Enclosed by a {{convert|2|m|ft}} high metal fence, guarded by Securitas and soldiers from the Gävle I 14 Infantry Regiment.
| {{no|{{dts|January}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| The 12.5-metre (41&nbsp;ft) tall goat of the Natural Science Club was featured in the ''Guinness Book of Records'' for the first time.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1986
| 
| {{no|{{dts|23 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| The Southern Merchants built their first goat since 1971, and it was burned. From 1986 onwards two goats were built each year, one by the Southern Merchants' and one by the School of Vasa.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|-
| 1987
| Heavily fireproofed.<ref name="bbc"/>
| {{dunno}}
| {{no|Fire}}<ref name="bbc"/>
| 
|-
| 1988
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| Gamblers were for the first time able to gamble on the fate of the goat with English [[Bookmaker|bookmaker]]s.<ref name=Sploid />
|-
| 1989
| 
| {{no|Prior to assembly / January}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire / Fire}}
| Financial contributions from the public were raised to rebuild a goat, and the second goat was burnt down in January. In March 1990 another goat was built, this time for the shooting of a Swedish motion picture called ''Black Jack''.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|}

=== 1990–1999 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 1990
| The goat was guarded by many volunteers.<ref name=CityGuide/>
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| 
|-
| 1991
| 
| {{no|{{dts|24 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire}}
| The goat was joined by an advertising [[Engineering:Sled|sled]], that turned out to be illegally built. It was later rebuilt to be taken to [[Place:Stockholm|Stockholm]] as a part of a protest campaign against the closing of the I 14 Infantry Regiment.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1992
| 
| {{no|After 8 days, and again on 20 December}}<ref name=CityGuide/>
| {{no|Fire / Fire}}
| Both the Natural Science Club and Southern Merchants' goats burned down on the same night. The latter was rebuilt, and burned down on 20 December. The perpetrator of the three attacks was caught and sent to jail. The Goat Committee was founded in 1992.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1993
| Guarded by taxis and the Swedish Home Guard
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| Once more the goat was featured in the Guinness Book of Records, the School of Vasa's goat measured {{convert|14.9|m|ft}}.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1994
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The goat followed the Swedish national hockey team to Italy for the World Championship in hockey.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1995
| 
| {{no|{{dts|25 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| A Norwegian was arrested for attempting to burn down the goat. It was rebuilt for the 550th anniversary of Gävleborg County.<ref name=CityGuide/><ref name=christmasgoat />
|-
| 1996
| Monitored by [[Webcam|webcam]]s.<ref name=CityGuide/>
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
|
|-
| 1997
| 
| colspan="2" {{partial|Survived with damage}}
| Damaged by [[Physics:Fireworks|fireworks]]. The Natural Science Club's goat was attacked too, but survived with minor damage.<ref name=AP2005 />
|-
| 1998
| 
| {{no|{{dts|11 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| Burned down during a major [[Earth:Blizzard|blizzard]], and was rebuilt.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|-
| 1999
| 
| {{no|Within hours}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| The Southern Merchants' goat was rebuilt again before Lucia. The Natural Science Club's goat was also burnt down.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|}

=== 2000–2009 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 2000
| 
| {{no|Late December}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| In addition to the Southern Merchants' goat being burned, the Natural Science Club's goat was thrown into the Gävle river.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|-
| 2001
| 
| {{no|{{dts|23 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| A visitor from Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, was arrested for burning the goat. The Natural Science Club's goat was also burnt down.<ref name=DagensNyheter /><ref name=christmasgoat /><ref name=AP2005 /><ref name="localsg"/><ref name="afton"/>
|-
| 2002
| On Saint Lucy's Day, the goat was guarded by Swedish radio and TV personality Gert Fylking.<ref>{{cite news|title=The goat is burning-year after year|language=sv|publisher=Aftonbladet|date=13 December 2003|url=http://wwwb.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,404850,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040517000016/http://wwwb.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,404850,00.html|archive-date=17 May 2004}}</ref> 
| colspan="2" {{partial|Survived with damage}}
| A 22 year-old from Stockholm tried to set the Southern Merchants' goat on fire, but failed, the goat receiving only minor damage. 
|-
| 2003
| 
| {{no|{{dts|11 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/> 
| {{no|Fire}}
| A second goat was put up a week after the first one burned down. The second goat survived without any known incidents.<ref name=CityGuide/>
|-
| 2004
| 
| {{no|{{dts|21 December}}}}<ref name=CityGuide/> 
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|-
| 2005
| 
| {{no|{{dts|3 December}}}}<ref name=AP2005 />
| {{no|Fire}}
| Burnt by unknown vandals reportedly dressed as Santa and the gingerbread man, by shooting a flaming arrow at the goat.<ref name=AP2005 /><ref name=MSNBC2008>{{cite news|title=Christmas straw goat burnt in Sweden|publisher=NBC News|date=27 December 2008|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28399341|access-date=1 December 2009}}</ref> Reconstructed on 5 December. The hunt for the arsonist responsible for the goat-burning in 2005 was featured on the weekly Swedish live broadcast TV3's "''Most Wanted''" ({{lang|sv|"Efterlyst"}}) on 8 December.
|-
| 2006
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The Southern Merchants' goat survived New Year's Eve and was taken down on 2 January. It is now stored in a secret location.<ref>{{cite news|title=The unburnable goat says thanks|publisher=Arbetarbladet|language=sv|url=http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?id=476327&avdelning_1=101&avdelning_2=101|date=3 January 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001214/http://www.arbetarbladet.se/local_article.php?id=476327&avdelning_1=101&avdelning_2=101|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> Meanwhile, Natural Science Club's goat was burned.
|-
| 2007
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The Natural Science Club's goat was toppled on 13 December and was burned on the night of 24 December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gävle Goat Blog|url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/merjuligavle/mjig_sida.aspx?id=147|access-date=14 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416110015/http://www.merjuligavle.se/merjuligavle/mjig_sida.aspx?id=147|archive-date=16 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Southern Merchants' goat survived.
|-
| 2008
| 
| {{no|{{dts|27 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| 10,000 people turned out for the inauguration of one of the goats. No back-up goat was built to replace the main goat should the worst happen, nor was the goat treated with flame repellent (Anna Östman, spokesperson of the Goat-committee said the repellent made it look ugly in the previous years, like a brown terrier).<ref>{{cite news|title=Yule Goat of Gävle was inaugurated|publisher=Svenska Dagbladet|language=sv|url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_2123193.svd|date=30 December 2008}}</ref> On 16 December the Natural Science Club's Goat was vandalised and later removed. On 26 December there was an attempt to burn down the Southern Merchants' Goat but passers-by managed to extinguish the fire. The following day the goat finally succumbed to the flames ignited by an unknown assailant at 03:50 CET. 
|-
| 2009
| 
| {{no|{{dts|23 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| A person attempted to set the Southern Merchants' goat on fire the night of 7 December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Attacked last night!|url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/Gavlebockens-blogg/Bloggen-2010/|access-date=8 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320011807/http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/Gavlebockens-blogg/Bloggen-2010/|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> An unsuccessful attempt was made to throw the Natural Science Club's goat into the river the weekend of 11 December. The culprit then tried, again without success, to set the goat on fire.<ref>{{cite web|title=Little brother not well|url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/Gavlebockens-blogg/Bloggen-2010/|access-date=8 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320011807/http://www.merjuligavle.se/Bocken/Gavlebockens-blogg/Bloggen-2010/|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Someone stole the Natural Science Club's goat using a truck on the night of 14 December.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Gavlebocken|author=Gävlebocken|number=6697336919|date=15 December 2009|title=Last sign of little brother: He was conveyed by a truck! Someone saw you!}}</ref> On the night of 23 December before 04:00{{nbsp}}a.m. the South Merchant goat was set on fire and was burned to the frame, even though it had a thick layer of snow on its back.<ref>{{cite news|title=Swedish Christmas straw goat burnt|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8428650.stm|date=23 December 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=23 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224025450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8428650.stm|archive-date=24 December 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The goat had two online webcams which were put out of service by a [[Denial-of-service attack|DoS attack]], instigated by computer hackers just before the burning.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vandals torch Swedish Yuletide straw goat for 24th time|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/vandals-torch-swedish-yuletide-straw-goat-for-24th-time/1 | work=USA Today | date=23 December 2009 | access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
|}

=== 2010–2019 ===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 2010
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| On the night of 2 December, arsonists made an unsuccessful attempt to burn the Natural Science Club's goat.<ref>{{cite web|title=Little brother attacked|url=http://merjuligavle.blogspot.com/2010/12/fredag-3-december-brorsan-attackerad.html|access-date=8 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708053023/http://merjuligavle.blogspot.com/2010/12/fredag-3-december-brorsan-attackerad.html|archive-date=8 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 December, a Swedish news site reported that one of the guards tasked with protecting the Southern Merchants' goat had been offered 50,000 SEK to leave his post so that the goat could be stolen via helicopter and transported to Stockholm.<ref>{{cite news | title=Helikopterkupp planerades mot Gävlebocken | url=https://www.arbetarbladet.se/2010-12-17/helikopterkupp-planerades----mot-gavlebocken | work=Arbetarbladet | date=17 December 2010 | access-date=18 December 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202005716/https://www.arbetarbladet.se/2010-12-17/helikopterkupp-planerades----mot-gavlebocken | archive-date=2 December 2023 | url-status=live}}</ref> Both goats survived and were dismantled and returned to storage in early January 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://merjuligavle.blogspot.com/2011/01/mandag-3-januari-vi-ses-nasta-ar-see.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708053041/http://merjuligavle.blogspot.com/2011/01/mandag-3-januari-vi-ses-nasta-ar-see.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 |title=Gävlebockens blogg|trans-title=The blog of the Gavle Goat}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| The goat was sprayed with water to create a coating of ice.<ref>{{cite news | title=Gävle Goat to be saved by ice | url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=4814994 | work=Radio Sweden | date=22 November 2011 | access-date=27 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227005151/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=4814994 | archive-date=27 December 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{no|{{dts|2 December}}}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Rebecca |title=Sweden's Christmas goat succumbs to flames |url=http://www.thelocal.se/37690/20111202/# |access-date=2 December 2011 |newspaper=The Local |date=2 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204202934/http://www.thelocal.se/37690/20111202 |archive-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{no|Fire}}
| Mild weather resulted in the protective ice melting. The Natural Science Club Goat was also burned.
|-
| 2012
| 
| {{no|{{dts|12 December}}}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merjuligavle.se/Nyheter/kl-16-vid-Slottstorget/ |title=Mer Jul i Gävle – kl 16 vid Slottstorget |publisher=Merjuligavle.se |access-date=1 December 2012 }} </ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/gavlebocken-har-brunnit_7750880.svd|title=Reklamvärde i attentat mot Gävlebock |date=13 December 2012 |language=sv}}</ref>
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|-
| 2013
| The goat was soaked in flame-retardant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gävle confident its 2013 Xmas goat won't burn|url=http://www.thelocal.se/20131130/gvle-confident-its-2013-christmas-goat-wont-burn|work=thelocal.se|date=30 November 2013|access-date=1 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002456/http://www.thelocal.se/20131130/gvle-confident-its-2013-christmas-goat-wont-burn|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{no|{{dts|21 December}}}}<ref name="GlobalNews">{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1044764/vandals-torch-swedens-giant-christmas-goat-for-the-27th-time/|title=Vandals torch Sweden's giant Christmas goat for the 27th time|author=Staff|date=21 December 2013|work=Global News|access-date=22 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223073733/http://globalnews.ca/news/1044764/vandals-torch-swedens-giant-christmas-goat-for-the-27th-time/|archive-date=23 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{no|Fire}}
| 
|-
| 2014
| 
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| At least three arson attempts were made.<ref>{{cite news|last1=von Kügelgen|first1=Michaela|last2=Nordenswan|first2=Hanna|title=Gävlebocken står fortfarande|url=https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2014/12/24/gavlebocken-star-fortfarande|access-date=3 May 2017|work=YLE Nyheter|date=24 December 2014|language=sv}}</ref> The Natural Science Club goat was collapsed.
|-
| 2015
| 
| {{no|{{dts|27 December}}}}<ref>{{cite news|title= Gävlebocken överlevde inte nyåret|url= http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/gavlebocken-overlevde-inte-nyaret/|work= Dagens Nyheter|date= 27 December 2015|access-date= 27 December 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151227050006/http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/gavlebocken-overlevde-inte-nyaret/|archive-date= 27 December 2015|url-status= live}}</ref> 
| {{no|Fire}}
| A 26 year-old man fleeing the scene with a singed face, smelling of gasoline, and holding a lighter in his hand was arrested. Under questioning, he admitted to committing the offence, adding that he was drunk at the time and that in retrospect, it was an "extremely bad idea".<ref>{{cite news|title=Trial of drunken Christmas goat burner begins in Sweden|url=http://www.thelocal.se/20161111/trial-of-drunken-christmas-goat-burner-begins-in-sweden|access-date=6 January 2017|newspaper=The Local|date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107004536/http://www.thelocal.se/20161111/trial-of-drunken-christmas-goat-burner-begins-in-sweden|archive-date=7 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sentenced in January 2018 to probation by an appellate court with a 6,000 SEK fine and 80,000 SEK in damages. The Natural Science Club goat was also burned. 
|-
|2016
|
| {{no|{{dts|27 November}}}}<ref name="localse">{{cite news|title=Sweden's Christmas goat burned down on opening day|url=http://www.thelocal.se/20161128/swedens-christmas-goat-burned-down-on-opening-day|access-date=28 November 2016|work=The Local|date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128215602/http://www.thelocal.se/20161128/swedens-christmas-goat-burned-down-on-opening-day|archive-date=28 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{no|Fire}}
| The goat was destroyed by an arsonist equipped with petrol on its inauguration day,<ref name="dtse">{{cite news| title=Gävle Christmas goat burns down on opening day| url=http://www.dt.se/blaljus/brander/gavlebocken-brinner-pa-forsta-dagen| work=Dalaras tidningar| date=27 November 2016| access-date=28 November 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128130847/http://www.dt.se/blaljus/brander/gavlebocken-brinner-pa-forsta-dagen| archive-date=28 November 2016| url-status=live}}</ref> just hours after its 50th "birthday party".<ref>{{cite web|title=Gävlebockens historia|url=http://www2.visitgavle.se/sv/se-gora/a811506/g%C3%A4vlebockens-historia/detaljer|website=visitGävle|publisher=Gävle Turistcenter|access-date=5 February 2017|language=sv|archive-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119173138/http://www2.visitgavle.se/sv/se-gora/a811506/g%C3%A4vlebockens-historia/detaljer|url-status=dead}}</ref> Organizers said they would not rebuild the goat in 2016.<ref name="localse"/> The 21 year-old was sentenced to probation by Gävle Tingsrätt and was sentenced to a fine and to pay roughly 100,000 SEK in damages. The evidence mainly revolved around a hat that the perpetrator dropped during his escape. The police later DNA-matched it with the 21-year-old local. It was replaced by the smaller Natural Science Club goat<ref>{{cite web|title=A tribute to Sweden's gigantic Christmas goat, killed by fire|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-12-01/tribute-sweden-s-gigantic-christmas-goat-killed-fire|website=Public Radio International|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202193225/http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-12-01/tribute-sweden-s-gigantic-christmas-goat-killed-fire|archive-date=2 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> built by local high school students.<ref name="local16">{{cite news|title=No fire, but: Gävle's baby yule goat run over by car|url=http://www.thelocal.se/20161205/gvles-baby-yule-goat-run-over-by-car|access-date=9 December 2016|work=The Local SE|date=5 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209143506/http://www.thelocal.se/20161205/gvles-baby-yule-goat-run-over-by-car|archive-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> This goat was later hit by a car.<ref name="local16"/> YouTuber Tom Scott covered the Gävle goat in a video released on November 28, 2016; principal filming of the goat itself took place mere hours before the goat was burned down.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arson as a Christmas Tradition: The Gävle Goat| website=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zjJpFYtx9s|date=28 November 2016|access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|Double fence, cameras, guards<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20171204/secret-plan-to-protect-gvle-goat-from-arsonists|title='Secret' plan to protect Gävle Christmas goat from arsonists|date=4 December 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207085111/https://www.thelocal.se/20171204/secret-plan-to-protect-gvle-goat-from-arsonists|archive-date=7 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The goat was inaugurated on 3 December. No reported attempts to burn the goat were made.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/arsonprone-straw-goat-stands-unscathed/news-story/6a64c26e01f65c81349e0b0d1593440f|title=Arson-prone straw goat stands unscathed|publisher=news.com.au|date=25 December 2017|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224200528/http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/arsonprone-straw-goat-stands-unscathed/news-story/6a64c26e01f65c81349e0b0d1593440f|archive-date=24 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2018
| Fencing, cameras, guards, taxi rank to increase numbers of people nearby<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20181201/swedens-gvle-christmas-goat-ready-to-return-for-festive-season|title=Sweden's Gävle Christmas goat ready to return for festive season|publisher=The Local Sweden|date=1 December 2018|access-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203091533/https://www.thelocal.se/20181201/swedens-gvle-christmas-goat-ready-to-return-for-festive-season|archive-date=3 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| colspan="2" {{partial|Survived with damage}}
| The goat was inaugurated on 2 December.<ref name="auto"/> An attempted burning of the Natural Science Club's goat occurred on the night of 15 December, resulting in minor damage to its left front leg.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20181216/smaller-gvle-goat-set-on-fire-but-big-brother-unscathed|title=Smaller Gävle goat set on fire but big sibling unscathed|newspaper=The Local Sweden|date=16 December 2018|access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2019
| Double fence, 24-hour CCTV. Two guards patrolled around the goat frequently, 24 hours a day, along with a K9 unit.
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The goat was again inaugurated on 1 December.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20191202/in-pictures-swedens-gavle-christmas-goat-returns-for-the-festive-season|title=IN PICTURES: Sweden's infamous Christmas goat returns for the festive season|publisher=The Local Sweden|date=2 December 2019|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> On 13 December fire crews responded to a call that the 'little goat' was burning, only to discover it was in fact a miniature Yule goat somebody had brought and torched at the scene.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=99&artikel=7367509|title=Eldade upp mini-bock på Slottstorget i Gävle – P4 Gävleborg|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=13 December 2019|access-date=13 December 2019|language=sv|last1=Roos |first1=Jimmy |last2=Gävleborg |first2=P4 }}</ref> The Natural Science Club goat was burned but not destroyed in the early hours of 27 December.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gd.se/artikel/just-nu-lillbocken-i-gavle-i-lagor-vittnen-pekade-ut-personen-som-misstanks-for-att-tant-eld-pa|title=JUST NU: Lillbocken i Gävle i lågor: "Vittnen pekade ut personen som misstänks för att tänt eld på"|publisher=Gefle Dagblad|date=27 December 2019|access-date=27 December 2019|language=sv}}</ref> A suspect was taken into custody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2019-12-27/lilla-gavlebocken-sattes-i-brand|title=Lilla Gävlebocken sattes i brand|publisher=Sydsvenskan|date=27 December 2019|access-date=27 December 2019|language=sv}}</ref> This was the first time ever that the goat survived more than two years in a row.<ref name=":0" />
|}

=== 2020–current===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:1200"
|-
!width="40"|Year
!width="180"|Security additions
!width="105"|Date of destruction
!width="105"|Method of destruction
!width="770"|Notes
|-
| 2020
|Guards,<ref name=":2" /> double fence, 24-hour CCTV, public webcam feed.<ref name=":1" />
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The goat was inaugurated on 29 November.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Gävlebocken invigs – så skyddas den|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/R95L6A|access-date=2020-12-06|website=Aftonbladet|date=29 November 2020 |language=sv}}</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inauguration was digital, and members of the public were advised not to gather around the goat. There was no traditional celebration.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Gävlebocken: Julbocken i Gävle på plats – invigdes digitalt|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/julbocken-i-gavle-ar-pa-plats-folkfesten-uteblev/|work=www.expressen.se|date=29 November 2020 |access-date=2020-12-02|language=sv}}</ref> The goat was not harmed during the 2020 holiday season, making 2020 the fourth consecutive year of the goat's survival.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Grattis Gävlebocken – överlevde för fjärde året i rad|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/56byV1|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Aftonbladet|date=4 January 2021 |language=sv}}</ref>
|-
| 2021
| 
| {{no|{{dts|17 December}}}}
| {{no|Fire}}
| The Natural Science Club goat was burned in the early hours of 12 December.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lilla Gävlebocken brann i natt: "Inga vittnen"|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/lilla-gavlebocken-brann-i-natt/|access-date=2021-12-12|website=www.expressen.se|date=12 December 2021 |language=sv}}</ref> The larger goat burned in the early hours of 17 December. A 40 year-old man was arrested<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gävlebocken i lågor – man gripen|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/gavlebocken-i-brand-/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Expressen|date=17 December 2021 |language=sv}}</ref> and later sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay SEK 109,000 in damages to the municipality.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nyheter |first1=S. V. T. |last2=Norton |first2=Nadya |date=2022-01-20 |title=Bockbrännaren döms till fängelse |language=sv |work=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/gavleborg/bockbrannaren-doms-till-fangelse |access-date=2022-11-25}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
|New 24-hour real-time public webcam feed, double fence, 24-hour guards
| colspan="2" {{yes|Survived}}
| The goat was inaugurated on 27 November.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gavlenews.com/2022/11/07/gavle-sara-mc-manus-inviger-gavlebocken/|title=Gävle: Sara Mc Manus inviger Gävlebocken
|date=2022-11-07|access-date=2022-12-01|language=sv}}</ref> Due to a new city centre being built at Slottstorget square, the goat's traditional location, the goat was moved a few blocks north to Rådhusesplanaden.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-03 |title=Sweden's arson-afflicted Christmas goat is moving after 56 years |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20221103/swedens-arson-afflicted-christmas-goat-is-moving-after-56-years/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=The Local Sweden |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 1, the stream was discontinued, and the goat was taken down the day after.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-11-27 |title=Gävle Goat |url=https://www.visitgavle.se/en/gavlebocken |access-date=2023-01-02 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|24-hour guards on site, double fence, 24-hour public webcam stream.
| {{partial|Gradually throughout December}}
| {{partial|Eaten by [[Biology:Western jackdaw|jackdaws]] (frame remained)}}
|Due to the straw used to construct the goat containing higher than usual amounts of seed, while not destroyed, the goat was severely damaged by flocks of jackdaws foraging for food.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/gavleborg/gavlebocken-ats-upp-av-faglarna-kommer-inte-att-lagas--aakvln|title=I år är det inte elden som tar Gävlebocken – utan fåglarna|lang=sv|date=2023-12-13|access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*Garden gnome liberationists
*Wicker man

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.visitgavle.se/sv/gavlebocken Gävle goat webcam]
*[http://merjuligavle.blogspot.se/ Gävle goat blog]
*[http://www2.visitgavle.se/sv/se-gora/a811506/g%C3%A4vlebockens-historia/detaljer Gävle goat history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119173138/http://www2.visitgavle.se/sv/se-gora/a811506/g%C3%A4vlebockens-historia/detaljer |date=19 January 2016 }}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavle goat}}
[[Category:Straw art]]

{{Sourceattribution|Gävle goat}}