GTNP GOAT REMOVAL HALTED: 36 GOATS KILLED – The plan to engage aerial operations to eradicate goats from the Grand Tetons was called off after 36 goats had been killed. This comes after several weeks of discussions and plan changes regarding the goat cull.
Timeline
Timeline of Events – Rising Ecological Tension Between Goats, Sheep and the Carrying Capacity of the Tetons
- 2013 – Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) first proposition to eradicate Teton goats (10-15 at the time).
- 2014 – GTNP Foundation incites goats as “perhaps the biggest ecological threat to the area in modern history.”
- 2015 – GTNP referrs to the status of bighorn sheep populations as “tenuous” due to potential exposure to goat diseases and non-native competition for resources.
- 2018 – GTNP announces plan to remove 100 goats and relocate 25.
- 2019 – GTNP finalizes Teton goat cull plans.
- 2020
- Aerial Operations set to begin early January but were postponed due to weather.
- Wyoming Game & Fish (WGF) condemned the plan in late Jan. via official letters to GTNP officals and a WGF Commission Resolution.
- February 23, aerial operations resume.
- February 24, Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt orders “stand down”
Operations Halted
It took four days for the Secretary to intervene, but before he could do so, 36 goats were killed. The GTNP issued this statement following the “stand down”:
“Thirty-six of the approximately 100 mountain goats were removed,” the park announced in a series of bullet points emailed out Tuesday. “No additional aerial operations are planned. The closure of the central Teton Range is lifted.”
The park went on to say that they are developing different plans to remove the rest of the goats. These plans could include “skilled volunteers” to come into the park and remove the goats using ground-based tactics. The final plans will not be released until fall 2020 at the soonest.
Letter From the Governor
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon wrote a letter of condemnation for these activities. Gopaul Noojidail is the Acting Superintendent, Grand Teton National Park. It is important to remember, no one is questioning the need for the Teton goat cull. However, many people are questioning the method of cull.
Governor Gordon expressed “profound disappointment” and vowed to remember the “blatant disregard for the advice of Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department.” Gordon further explained his impression of GTNP’s actions “as an expression of your regard for neighbors and of the respect you apparently do not have for Wyoming...” and another vow to remember.
“Please rest assured I will make sure your park’s attitude and willingness to find solutions is well communicated to our delegation, the Secretary of Interior, and others.”
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, in a letter to GTNP Acting Superintendent Gopaul Noojidail
What ideas do you have to remove these goats?
