OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Biologists will conduct a population census of mountain goats throughout their habitat within the national park and in neighboring areas of Olympic National Forest.
Park staff, who claim that mountain goats are non-native to the Olympic Peninsula, will count goats from a low-flying helicopter during early morning hours between July 12 and July 25.
“This survey is part of our ongoing effort to maintain current information about the population status of the park’s non-native mountain goats,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner.
The census count will focus on ice-free areas above 5,000 feet in elevation.
The helicopter will operate from a landing area near the eastern end of Obstruction Point Road.
The last census was conducted in 1997 and estimated the population at between 237 and 325 mountain goats.
