Subject: [Tweeters] Mt. Goats in ONP
Date: Oct 17 21:33:44 2010
From: notcalm at comcast.net - notcalm at comcast.net


Fellow Tweeters,


A year ago I was on the upper trails of Paradise, Mount Rainier, for the first time. A friend and I had taken separate routes, both looking for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I found one feeding in Winter plumage with only a few very small, dark head feathers. Great bird in high elevation late, afternoon fog. Confused by my friend's absence and concerned for his safety and also about fog, I followed the directions he had given me, back tracking to a key fork.


No one else was on the mountain. I was carrying tripod and video camera, occasionally giving loud whistles, pausing for response, in case my friend had been injured and off-trail. I came around a corner and was startled. In front of me, 50 feet away on the edge of the trail was a male Mountain goat, in full winter coat, eating. He was so close and it was so quiet, I could hear him ripping the plants as he foraged. I had conflicting thoughts and feelings. I knew nothing about goats, but did not recall hearing any stories of aggression. I thought it was wise to stay in one place, not passing the goat and thinking my friend might also back-track, the fog and late light were in question, and I realized that it was a great opportunity to observe a beautiful, large wild animal at close range. I remained stationary until he ate his way past me slowly feeding to within 30 feet and above me, riefly regarding me on occasion. I was aware that the goat could push me off the slope or hurt me, but it showed no signs of aggression. In one of my most memorable experiences, the goat moved beyond me just as the fog completely dissipated at that elevation. It paused from foraging and looked out at the top of the nearest mountain range at sunset.


In seeing the report today I was surprised and saddened by the news that an experienced hiker had been fatally attacked by a mountain goat in the Olympics. From all reports, this appears to be an extremely unusual event.
This, coupled with the recent black bear attack at lake Wenatchee , reminded me that there is a chance, albeit a very unlikely one, that serious injury is possible when we are observing birds or other animals or immersing ourselves in nature.


My thoughts and regards go to this man's family and friends.


Dan Reiff
Mercer Island








----- Original Message -----
From: vogelfreund at comcast.net
To: tweeters at u. washington . edu
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 1:10:22 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Mt. Goats in ONP


I thought the Mountain Goats were being or had been eliminated from the Olympic National Park, since they are alien to that ecosystem. Whatever happened to that program?

http :// www . bbc .co. uk /news/world-us-canada-11562054

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham , WA


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