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Plan to remove goats from Olympics to begin this summer

A mountain goat in Olympic National Park faces a photographer in July 2008 on the Switchback Trail in the Klahhane-Hurricane Ridge-Switchback Trail area near Port Angeles, Wash. Olympic National Park officials are weighing several options to remove mountain goats from the park, including a plan to capture and relocate as many goats as possible and shooting others. (Diane Urbani de la Paz / AP)
Associated Press

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.