Boaters Advised To Be On Lookout For Aggressive Mountain Goats Along Oregon River

The Pacific Northwest division of The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is has issued a warning for boaters on Oregon’s Grande Ronde River to be on the lookout for aggressive mountain goats.

The unusual warning comes after multiple boaters on the Grande Ronde River between Meadow Creek and Alder Creek encountered two aggressive nannies (female goats) in the area with their kids (juvenile goats). Mountain goats attacks on people are rare but can happen under certain circumstances including nannies protecting of their young. While mountain goats aren’t generally considered dangerous, they are powerful animals with sharp horns that can deliver potentially lethal blows. In 2010 a hiker in Olympic National Park was fatally gored by a mountain goat after it punctured a major artery in his thigh.

BLM advises boaters remain vigilant of mountain goats on this stretch of river and take preventative steps to prevent attracting them like keeping dogs leashed and urinating in the water or on rocks (mountain goats are attracted to the salts found in human sweat and urine).

BLM Oregon & Washington Warning: Aggressive Mountain Goats:

We advise boaters on the Grande Ronde River to remain alert, as there are aggressive mountain goats between Meadow Creek and Alder Creek. Recently, boaters have encounter two aggressive nannies in the area with their kids. Wildlife can be dangerous, especially when protecting their young, so please avoid camping in any location where mountain goats or other wildlife are present.