Glacier National Park‘s melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and stunning lakes provide an abundant habitat for a wide range of unique wildlife. Glacier’s most iconic animal is likely the grizzly bear, but the mountain goat is close behind. Mountain goats are found only in the northern latitudes of North America, primarily inhabiting alpine and subalpine environments.
While some mountain goat populations now found in the United States were introduced by humans, the mountain goats of Glacier National Park are native to the landscape. More than 1,500 goats are estimated to live inside the park, spending their summer months feeding on a variety of alpine flowers, grasses, and sedges while wintering on steep cliffs or where little snow accumulates.
Mountain goats often appear to be accustomed to being around people, but they can still be quite agressive. Female mountain goats, or nannies, can be protective of their territory and food, and males will fight with each other to mate with females. On some occasions that agression is turned towards humans.
With the potential for agression, getting close to the mountain goats of Glacier National Park is highly discouraged. The people in the below video fortunately made it through this interaction without an attack or injury, but being this close to wild animals can often have significant consequences.
Glacier National Park requires that tourists give all wildlife at least 25 yards of space at all times, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and deer. Visitors should observe a distance of at least 100 yards for bears, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. Approaching wildlife for a photograph can result in injury or worse, and feeding or harassing wildlife is strictly prohibited and subject to a fine. Read more on wildlife safety below.
Glacier National Park Wildlife Safety Guidelines:
All of Glacier’s wildlife can be dangerous. For most species, like moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and deer, visitors must maintain at least 25 yards (23 m) of distance. For wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and mountain lions, a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) should be observed.
The park provides a wonderful opportunity to view animals in their natural habitat. Along with this opportunity comes a special obligation for park visitors. Always enjoy wildlife from the safety of your car or from a safe distance. Do not approach wildlife to take photographs. Visitors who have gotten too close to animals while trying to get a picture have been severely injured in the past. Use a telephoto lens instead. This will not only ensure your own safety, but also the safety of the wildlife.
Feeding or harassing wildlife is strictly prohibited and subject to a fine. All wildlife can present a real and painful threat, especially females with young and males during mating season.
