Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats

[MHMT]

Just curious of what others think about this.

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_229ccf16-5adc-11e1-a244-0019bb2963f4.html

Has anyone ever noticed a displacement of bighorns due to mountain goats? or does anyone think introduced mt. goats would have much of an effect on the bighorns?

 

[6speed]

I'm still trying to figure out how the goats can be removed as a non native species but wolves from Canada were brought in by the park service?

 

[Oak]

I'm still trying to figure out how the goats can be removed as a non native species but wolves from Canada were brought in by the park service?

Yes, sympatric mountain goat populations can displace bighorns from their historical range. The Colorado bighorn sheep management plan has a chapter on the potential for this happening. You might find it interesting reading.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCol...loradoBighornSheepManagementPlan2009-2019.pdf

 

[JoseCuervo]

I'm still trying to figure out how the goats can be removed as a non native species but wolves from Canada were brought in by the park service?

My guess is there are quite a few things you are still trying to figure out.

 

[ardrhi]

In regards to the portion of the story about eliminating the "exotic" "invading" mountain goats in Grand Teton National Park, the past 25 years of goat management in Yellowstone is a good reference.
Goats started showing up in Yellowstone in the late 1980's. The Park declared mountain goats to be an unwelcome non-native, but the sanctity of animal life has usurped "Park Service policy [which] dictates that non-native species be eliminated".
A flashback to 1990 shows how little has changed on the debate about managing these "non-native" mountain goats in national parks:
http://books.google.com/books?id=w0... mountain goats native to yellowstone&f=false

I don't think the NPS will get approval to kill the goats that have made it to Grand Teton and they're not going to stop more from coming.


In regards to the part of the story about mountain goats threatening bighorn sheep, this reminds me of the debate about elk contributing to the decline of mule deer. Some studies will show conflict, while others will show that the two species get along fine. The conflict will be greatest when one or both species is trying to survive in marginal habitat with limited resources.
Instead of proposing to reduce one species to benefit another, I prefer to identify limiting resources and then protect and improve those resources. Pitting one species against another and trying to decide which deserves a bigger piece of the proverbial pie may be necessary, but it isn't as productive as making more pie.

 

[6speed]

My guess is there are quite a few things you are still trying to figure out.

You bet there is I like to learn something new every day. I got a lot of information from Oaks link. I wasn't trying to start another non native wolves debate but I see how my post could easily be viewed that way. Here's what I'm trying to figure out now. Why don't you get some professional help with your social interaction issues. Odds are with a little therapy you could resolve some of the problems that limit your ability to constructively interact with people.

 

[jlmatthew]

"Park Service policy [which] dictates that non-native species be eliminated".

Are they going to start shooting the tourists? I see plenty of White People going into National Parks

 

[Carrion Carrier]

http://www.montana.edu/rgarrott/sheep_goat.htm

 

[IdahoRob]

I killed my Billy and Bighorn less than a mile from each other. I have watched for 20 years an area with goats and sheep and have seen them in the same areas year in and year out.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Are they going to start shooting the tourists? I see plenty of White People going into National Parks

We can't. Those are classified as "experimental, nonessential."

 

[mlbuck84]

We can't. Those are classified as "experimental, nonessential."

And Invasive! HUAH