What to do About Aggressive Mountain Goats?

Last October, Bob Boardman was hiking at Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park with his wife and a friend. It was a trail he hiked often, and on that trail, he regularly saw mountain goats, introduced to Washington's Olympic Mountains in the 1920s.

More than 300 of these goats live in the park. Not all of these goats are curious, beguiling creatures, though. Some are irritating, and even downright aggressive. Boardman had complained to Olympic National Park officials about a particularly aggressive mountain goat on this very trail several times before.

At lunchtime, Boardman and his fellow hikers stopped at an overlook to eat. A male mountain goat approached them and became aggressive, and so the hikers got up to leave. The ram left with them, though, and followed closely behind Boardman for almost a mile. At some point, unprovoked, the ram gored Boardman in his thigh, then stood over him. Boardman bled to death as his companions watched helplessly.

These new details of last year's tragic incident came to light in the Seattle Times and the Peninsula Daily News last week. That's because wrongful death and personal injury claims for just over $10 million were recently filed against Olympic National Park over Boardman’s death by his estate, his widow and his stepson. The family is now in the six-month waiting period before they can file a lawsuit. According to a press release we received from the family's attorney, a federal judge without a jury will ultimately decide on the merits and damages of the case because the park service is in a federal jurisdiction.

The claims allege that the National Park Service knew this particular goat was a danger for nearly four years before it killed Boardman and that the park service could have prevented Boardman's death had they followed their own established procedures for removing known dangerous animals from Olympic National Park.

Susan Chadd, Boardman's widow, had this to say in the press release: "This was not a random act of nature. The park service knew this animal was dangerous, but did nothing. My husband's death could have been prevented. I hope this case changes the way the park service manages dangerous animals."

What were their procedures for managing known dangerous animals? How have those procedures changed in light of this incident? We contacted Olympic National Park on Monday to talk about the claim, but have not yet heard back.

According to the Peninsula Daily News, the park released a revised Mountain Goat Action Plan on July 7, and the circumstances surrounding Boardman's death factored in to the changes made to the plan. It evidently expands the option to shoot mountain goats if they are overly aggressive, meaning if they attack, make contact, corner, or make it impossible for hikers to pass.

It's not clear if these changes would have prevented the attack on Boardman had they been put into practice prior to October 2010.

And, mountain goats are hardly restricted to the Olympic mountains.

On the other side of Puget Sound, aggressive mountain goat behavior has been observed and has garnered the attention of hikers and authorities. Perhaps you've seen a posted warning sign yourself on a recent hike in the Teanaway; it is posted at several trailheads in the Cle Elum Ranger District, including Lake Ingalls, Long Peak and Iron Peak. I spoke with Nancy Jones, the Visitor Services Specialist with the ranger district earlier this week about the goat encounters. She said that there have been numerous reports this year from hikers encountering goats that approached them.

"They want the salt," Jones said. "Hikers should urinate at least 50 feet from the trail, and on rocks if possible."

She also said that people need to take it upon themselves to avoid encounters. "Goats are wild animals. If the goat wants the trail, give the goat the trail. Back off. Give the goat the right-of-way. Go the other way," she said.

If you do have an encounter, Jones says to "Scream at it. Try to discourage it from following you. Wave clothing at it. Throw a rock at it if you have to." Also, don't pet the kid goats.

I am reminded of camping in the Enchantments ten years ago when a bold ram came into our campsite several times and bumped the tent when we were inside of it. It wouldn't have occurred to me to report that incident to the Forest Service at the time, but I probably would now, given what happened to Bob Boardman last year.

Have you become more concerned about aggressive mountain goats? What do you think land management agencies should do about goats they have identified as aggressive? Share your thoughts in the comments.