Mountain goats being relocated to the North Cascades

In an effort to recover from decades of over-hunting, national, state and tribal agencies are looking at relocating hundreds of mountain goats from the Olympic Mountains to the North Cascades.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports a proposed plan would begin moving the goats to 12 sites, mostly in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, by mid-2018.

Western Washington University professor David Wallin has studied the animals for 15 years and says the move could benefit both the Olympic and North Cascades surrounding forests and national parks.

Agencies are currently working on an Environmental Impact Statement.

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