Portions of Grand Teton National Park are closed this week as animal experts attempt to kill invasive mountain goats to help a struggling population of native bighorn sheep.
The operation will be carried out by aerial gun crews operating under contract. A second phase, if required later this winter or during the fall, could involve volunteer ground hunters.
A vast closed area includes the north and west slopes of the iconic Cathedral Group, which includes the tallest peaks of the Teton Range.
The operation is expected to end Thursday, barring weather delays.
Denise Germann, park spokeswoman, said in a statement: “We’re trying to be efficient and effective — so doing this as fast as possible in the most efficient way — and we believe that the aerial operations does that.”
The Jackson Hole News and Guide reported that reconnaissance flights were to be carried out Sunday. Shooting operations were set to begin Monday.
It was not clear how many mountain goats are scheduled to be removed during this phase.
“This will be our initial action, and we’ll see how it goes,” Germann said. “It’s a very unique situation for Grand Teton National Park.”
The Teton Range is home to about 100 native bighorn sheep. It’s one of the most isolated herds in Wyoming and its existence was described as precarious even before mountain goats became a threat.
According to CBS Denver, the mountain goats are descendants of animals introduced outside the park in the 1960s. Their population in the Teton Range has grown from 10-15 animals seven years ago to perhaps more than 100 animals.
Mountain goats compete with bighorn sheep for a limited food supply and threaten sheep with disease.
The park has stated that unless the problem is addressed quickly, goat numbers will grow to an unmanageable number.
“Without swift and active management, the mountain goat population is expected to continue to grow and expand its distribution within the park,” the park stated in an environmental assessment draft. “The mountain goat population is currently at a size where complete removal is achievable.
“In a short time, however, the growth rate of this population suggests that complete removal in the near future may become unattainable.”
–Images are via Pete Thomas and Wikimedia Commons. Graphic showing the closed area is courtesy of the National Park Service