Latest news with #mountaingoats
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Hikers in Oregon and Washington beauty spots warned to watch out for unexpectedly angry animals
Hikers have been warned to watch out for angry animals causing chaos across hundreds of miles of picturesque countryside spanning Oregon and Washington. The Bureau of Land Management has issued an alert about 'aggressive mountain goats' following several incidents involving boaters on the Grande Ronde River. Officials shared the advisory for areas between Alder Creek close to Portland, and Meadow Creek which lies around 300 miles east of the Oregon city. 'Recently, boaters have encounter two aggressive nannies in the area with their kids,' Oregon and Washington's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said in the alert. 'Wildlife can be dangerous, especially when protecting their young, so please avoid camping in any location where mountain goats or other wildlife are present.' Hikers could come across several animals including mountain lions, bobcats, moose and mountain goats close to the Grande Ronde River, according to the BLM. The river winds northwest through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest just east of the Blue Mountains in Oregon, through to the mid-Snake River in Washington. While it is relatively rare to encounter a mountain goat on the route, several unlucky boaters have come into contact with them this year. The BLM advised staying at least 50 yards away from mountain goats, keeping dogs leashed, and urinating at least 50 yards away from the trail or campsite. Officials also urged hikers to avoid feeding the horned animals, or leaving clothes, gear or food unattended. If a mountain goat approaches, hikers should try to back away slowly rather than running as this could encourage the angry animals to chase. The BLM advises yelling at the goats if they charge, while waving your arms in the air and throwing rocks in their direction to ward them away. Anyone who encounters any aggressive wildlife should contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via 541-426-3279. Dial 911 for emergencies. Deadly mountain goat attacks are extremely rare. The last recorded fatality from a goat attack in the US was October 2010, when a man was gored in Washington state while he was having a picnic with his wife and friend. Robert Boardman suffered a deadly leg wound when a goat, which was known for its aggressive behavior, charged at him on Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park. After goring the 63-year-old hiker, the goat stood over him and rangers pelted it with rocks until it retreated. Boardman was transported by US Coast Guard helicopter to the hospital in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead. Mountain goats are around three to four foot tall on average. Males weigh 150 to 300 pounds on average, while females weigh between 125 and 250 pounds. Experts estimate that around 3,500 mountain goats live across Oregon and Washington.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
BLM warns of ‘aggressive' mountain goats along Oregon river
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Territorial goats of the Pacific Northwest are asking adventure-seekers to get off their lawn. The Bureau of Land Management has alerted the public that 'aggressive mountain goats' haven't given a warm welcome to people riding their boats on the Grande Ronde River between Meadow Creek and Alder Creek. Portland parks to enforce stricter policy, fees for dog owners with off-leash pets 'Recently, boaters have encountered two aggressive nannies in the area with their kids,' BLM Oregon & Washington wrote on last week. 'Wildlife can be dangerous, especially when protecting their young, so please avoid camping in any location where mountain goats or other wildlife are present.' visitors of the Wallowa-Grande Ronde River corridor are likely to see animals like raptors, upland birds, river otters and turkey. Mountain lions, bobcats, moose and mountain goats are a more common sight for 'lucky observers,' according to the bureau. And while the Oregon Department of Wildlife has highlighted mountain goats as the state's , that hasn't stopped boaters from coming into contact with them. Public land officials urge visitors not to feed the animals and to stay at least 50 yards away. People should also keep their dogs leashed, and they shouldn't leave their clothing unattended or urinate in the river or on the rocks within at least 50 yards from their trail or campground. Oregon passes bill investing public employee retirement funds into clean energy If a mountain goat does approach someone, BLM encourages the person to try to move away slowly instead of running. Otherwise, they should chase the animal off by yelling, waving their arms or clothing, or throwing rocks. Officials want the public to report 'aggressive wildlife encounters' to ODFW. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
