Goats get a foothold in Utah

There is no evidence Rocky Mountain goats ever roamed Utah mountains before they were introduced in 1967. Their prehistoric cousins did, however, which is one reason the white goats were brought to Utah.

In 1967, two yearling male and four adult female goats were brought to Utah from the Cascade Range in Washington and released on the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon near Twin Peaks.

For years, wildlife biologists looked for the new residents but had no firm sightings. Then, in the mid-1970s, a group of goats was spotted on the southern side of the canyon.

Since that time goat sightings have been common. And, while no official count is available, biologist suggest there are now "hundreds of goats" in the canyon.

It is even possible, at certain times of the year, to see goats hopping from rock to rock from the roadway leading up the canyon.

Saturday, Bob Walters, watchable wildlife coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, will hold a "viewing" opportunity for those interested in seeing Rocky Mountain goats in the Park and Ride lot near the mouth of the canyon.

"It's hard to say just how many goats we will see. I've seen as many as 50. More typically, in mid-winter, I can spot only a half dozen. At this time of the year, looking hard on both sides of the canyon, it's possible to see 25 or 30 goats," he said.

Walters said he first tried to view the goats in the winter but found it nearly impossible to spot the white goats among the patches of snow.

"Since the goats are down at lower elevations through April and into May, it made sense to move the dates to when it was warmer," he said.

"Powerful scopes and binoculars will be available at the Park and Ride lot to enhance the views of this remarkable animal."

Fact cards and posters on the goats will be available to attendees.

After the initial transplant in 1967, 10 more goats were obtained from Olympic National Park and put onto Mount Timpanogos. An additional 10 were taken from the park in 1982 and released on Mount Olympus.

In 1986, six of the goats were captured from the Little Cottonwood herd and moved to the Tushar Range in Central Utah. To help build the herd, a mature male was captured from Mount Timpanogos and released into the Tushar herd.

Eight more goats were captured from the Cottonwood herd and moved to Bald Mountain in the Uintas.