One of 45 goats released at Mt. Jefferson. Photo by Jim Yuskavitch.
For the first time in more than a century, wild Rocky Mountain goats are back home in the Central Oregon Cascades.
45 goats – relocated from the Elkhorn Mountains – were released Tuesday at the base of Mt. Jefferson. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help the Rocky Mountain goat recover in the state.
The goat disappeared from the area during the late 1800′s. ODFW says the likely causes are over hunting, changes in climate and harsh weather. Efforts to rebuild the population began in the 1950′s when five goats were transplanted from Northern Washington into the Wallowa Mountains. They are about 800 Rocky Mountain goats in the state, half of them in the Elkhorns.
If this reintroduction works, ODFW may try releasing goats at other mountains in the area including Three-fingered Jack and the Three Sisters. Eventually, ODFW hopes to build a population that’s big enough to draw wildlife viewers and support a hunting season.
The release was a joint effort with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The tribe will manage the population of goats on their lands.
Slide show photos by Jim Yuskavitch and Lisa Dubisar. Courtesy ODFW and Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs.
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