MOOSE, Wyo. — The National Park Service (NPS) announced it will cull non-native mountain goats in Grand Teton National Park beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23.
NPS said it will cull mountain goats "using aerial methods in Grand Teton National Park in order to conserve a native and vulnerable population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Teton Range."
"The National Park Service has a responsibility to protect native species and reduce the potential for local extinction of a native species within the park," said a NPS news release. "Mountain goats are not native to Grand Teton National Park."
NPS said lethal removal activities will be performed by contractors with appropriate training, certifications and skills in aviation operations and the safe use of firearm protocols. The operations will likely cull 25 to 35 mountain goats.
NPS said it removed 36 mountain goats using aerial lethal means in February 2020, 43 mountain goats using qualified volunteers in Fall 2020, and an additional 20 mountain goats using qualified volunteers in Fall 2021.
According to NPS, although bighorn sheep have occupied the Teton Mountain Range for thousands of years, the population today is small and at risk of local extinction. NPS estimates the current bighorn sheep herd has 125 animals.
Mountain goats were introduced into the Snake River Range in Idaho and over the years their population expanded and reached the Teton Range, numbering more than 100 animals before removal efforts were initiated in 2020, said NPS.
Mountain goats can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. NPS officials said bighorn sheep population at Grand Teton National Park has been relatively isolated and are therefore likely "naïve" to these diseases.
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Animals and Wildlife
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.