Goat study begins at Logan Pass

Glacier National Park and the University of Montana have begun a three-year research study on how mountain goats are affected by roads, people and trails in the Logan Pass area.

Six mountain goats have been collared by National Park Service staffers, University of Montana researchers, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel and outfitted with GPS or VHF radio devices.

Collaring efforts will continue through the fall as weather permits, according to a news release from Glacier.

It is anticipated 20 to 25 goats will be collared. There are an estimated 1,500 goats in Glacier.

Data collected from collared goats will provide information on the animals’ use of Logan Pass and adjacent areas, as well as movement on the landscape throughout the year.

Collars will remain on the goats for three years, at which point a mechanism will release, allowing the collars to fall to the ground. The collars then will be retrieved by researchers. The use of the release mechanism means that goats will only be handled once.

The study also incorporates observations, temporary marking and visitor messaging techniques. Researchers will observe and record human-goat interactions. Informational signs about human/goat interactions will be placed in the Logan Pass area.

A few goats that are not collared may be temporarily marked to enable researchers to visually distinguish between individual goats.

Research on bighorn sheep will be conducted simultaneously with observational, temporary marking and visitor messaging techniques.  No collars will be placed on bighorn sheep, since individual sheep are easier to identify due to unique horn variations.

According to the news release, the research is a critical component of the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Management planning effort, since human/wildlife interactions are an identified issue of concern. Interactions between humans and goats are increasing in the Logan Pass area, creating potential unhealthy and unsafe conditions. 

According to Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow, “Mountain goats are an icon of Glacier National Park and the information gathered from this study will play a valuable role in future management decisions. Ensuring the safety of both mountain goats and staff conducting research is our top priority with this project.”

A short video about the mountain goat study can be viewed at http://youtu.be/houINqfHysc.