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Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005
The preliminary investigation of the October 16 fatal mountain goat goring near Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park has been concluded and is consistent with initial accounts of the incident. Witnesses and others in the area at the time describe an aggressive male mountain goat that approached, followed and fatally gored Robert Boardman while he was hiking. Following the fatal encounter, the goat stood over Boardman until several visitors, including an off-duty National Park Service employee, succeeded in scaring off the goat. First aid and CPR were administered at the scene and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter transported Boardman to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles where he was pronounced dead. Following the incident, the goat was positively identified by park rangers, and destroyed. A necropsy and comprehensive tissue analysis were conducted on the goat and preliminary results have been released. A wide range of tests, including the initial visual examination during necropsy, followed by microscopic study of the major organs and a battery of diagnostic tests, has not revealed any signs of disease or other physical abnormality. The goat is estimated to have weighed over 350 pounds. Tests for rabies virus, encephalitis virus, plague and tularemia revealed no evidence of these diseases. Salt concentrations in the animal's urine were within normal limits. Tissue analysis showed that the goat was in breeding condition or "rut." Additional diagnostic tests for several diseases are still ongoing, including Listeria and chronic wasting disease, and several chemical assessments for key nutrients. The necropsy was performed by a veterinary pathologist in Monroe, Washington and the tissue analyses were conducted by both the Monroe pathologist and veterinary pathologists at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Results from both labs are in agreement. Rangers and wildlife biologists conducted daily goat behavior monitoring patrols during the week of October 18, but these have not continued since snowfall began on Sunday; nearly two feet of snow is on the ground at Hurricane Ridge. Up to eight goats were seen in a day; there were no observations of aggressive mountain goat behavior. Some goats appeared to be habituated to human presence, but quickly moved away when people yelled or waved their arms. Patrols will resume this fall if weather and snow conditions permit. Once winter weather begins, mountain goats typically move to their winter range, which varies from herd to herd. Winter range for goats in the Hurricane/Klahhane area is primarily along a rocky, windswept ridge north and east of Klahhane Ridge. Park biologists, in collaboration with biologists from neighboring land and wildlife management agencies, have solicited and have been receiving information about mountain goat – human interactions from across the animals' range. Park staff will incorporate all new information learned through this incident into the Olympic National Park Nuisance and Hazardous Animal Plan. Klahhane Ridge is about 17 miles south of Port Angeles and is a popular hiking destination and within the summer range of about eight mountain goats. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015