Study documents drastic mountain goat decline in Glacier Park
Mountain Goat – David Restivo-NPSChanging climate seems to be the biggest factor, along with increased park visitation . . .
A long-running citizen science program in Glacier National Park has observed a marked decrease in the population of mountain goats since 2008, with scientists concerned that a warming alpine climate could be detrimental to the future of the species.
In a study published in the journal “Ecosphere” in January, researchers with Glacier National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey found from 2008 to 2019 the number of goats observed throughout the park declined by 45%.
“As the largest non-hunted, native population in the contiguous United States, this raises concerns about native mountain goat populations at the southern extent of the range,” according to the study, which states that “climate appears to play a large role” in population shifts.
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