The Federal Government is considering killing all of the mountain goats in the Olympic National Park. It claims that the animals are not native to the Olympic Mountains and that taxpayer funds must be used to hunt them down with helicopters.

The Park claims that mountain goats were introduced to the area in the 1920's. However, evidence of these animals was observed and published in 1844 and 1917. In addition, the goats were reported by Forest and Stream in 1890 to be "abundant on the Olympian Range mountains." Finally, one expedition reported by the Seattle Press in 1890 and another expedition reported by National Geographic in 1896 observed mountain goats. Despite revelations of multiple sources of evidence, the Park Service sticks to its original position.

A linked document, Mountain Goat Management and Risks, makes some very important points:

• Nonlethal population control should be a feasible alternative--even population control measures appear to be unnecessary.
• Mountain goat numbers have plummetted since 1983.
• Eradication poses environmental risks not addressed by the government.
• Although the main reason stated for the proposed eradication expenditures is risk to plant species, the park service has stated that "there is no apparent danger that these [plant] species will be extirpated". SEE UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• The criteria by which the goats have been judged would find all mountain goats (and all herbivores) incompatible with the entire planet.
• Eradication presents greater risk to personnel.
• There is considerable risk that a naturally occurring population (the Olympic Mountain Goats) will be eradicated from its native range.
• Eradication poses the possibility of future, very substantial costs not detailed by the government.
• Regardless, eradication will be more costly than other alternatives.

Copyright 1996, David Lee Winston Miller. This document may be linked or copied in any form provided that it is reproduced in its entirety with the copyright and provided that the links are noted or included. This page has been accessed  times since 11-07-96