Plan to remove goats from Olympics to begin this summer

PORT ANGELES, Wash. – Park officials plan this summer to begin relocating hundreds of mountain goats from Olympic National Park while killing others.

The National Park Service on Tuesday said it finalized a plan to remove about 675 mountain goats that have long posed an ecological problem in the park. The fatal goring of a hiker by a goat in 2010 raised new concerns about public safety.

The decision calls for capturing and relocating mountain goats to North Cascade national forests, where the animals are native.

As many goats as possible will be moved by helicopter over several years. After the second year, park officials plan to shoot and kill goats when capturing isn’t possible.

Mountain goats were introduced to the park before it was established.

Officials say the plan will reduce environmental impacts and protect public safety.