Well-Traveled Goats

Filed in archive Outdoor News on November 3, 2006

The mountain goats that call South Dakota's Black Hills home have had a hard time just getting by lately. The population is dwindling and there seems to be no lack of reasons why. The original herd was imported from Canada, but began with a root stock of only six goats. Genetic diversity has been an issue - add to that an increase of mountain lions, human activity and changes in habitat.

In an effort to bolster the herd, wildlife managers plan to import some surplus mountain goats from the Leadville, Colorado area. Up to 40 animals will be introduced. According to Game, Fish and Parks program administrator Tony Leif:

The project could cost as much as $40,000. All of the transplanted goats would have radio collars. Safari Club International has donated the funds to pay for 20 of the collars at a cost of $325 each. The collars will be used to track the new goats which would help GFP get a better estimate on the size of the entire herd.

South Dakota hopes to increase its herd to 400 animals thanks to the Colorado transplants. Read more at Hunt The Outdoors.