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Growing Numbers Of Non-Native Goats In Olympic Mountains Have Park Officials Worried

A new census by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the population of non-native goats in the Olympic Mountains has more than doubled over the past 12 years. Officials at Olympic National Park are concerned about the impacts on native plants and park visitors.

Mountain goats were first introduced in the 1920s, before the park was established, as a target for hunters. The population started out at just about a dozen but is now topping 600. USGS estimates the recent growth rate has escalated to about 8 percent per year.

Barb Maynes is a public information officer with the park. She says biologists first started seeing impacts on native plants in the park’s delicate alpine landscapes in the 1970s and '80s, when they captured and relocated the goats to other areas of the state, where they’re native. Now they’re rebounding in the park.

“The population has risen enough that we’re seeing goats in areas where they haven’t been since the 1980s. And we’re also seeing goats in much higher densities,” Maynes said.

She says population density is a key factor; when they’re more spread out, goats don’t reproduce as quickly.

“When they’re few and far between they have a hard time finding each other,” Maynes said. “And so just having a very low population density can lead to a lower reproductive rate.”

Those that are mating can become quite aggressive. And they sometimes seek out humans when they’re looking for food or salt. In 2010, one fatally gored a park visitor.  

Park officials are now working on a management plan. Options include hazing the goats with everything from paint ball guns to firecrackers, relocating them to areas such as the Cascades where they are native and population numbers are currently dropping, and removing them through lethal means.

A draft environmental impact statement on the plan is expected early next year.

Bellamy Pailthorp covers the environment for KNKX with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. She enjoys reporting about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.