Hiker killed by mountain goat in Olympic National Park

[cowcommander]

PORT ANGELES — A 63-year-old Port Angeles man died today after he was apparently attacked by a mountain goat near Olympic National Park's Klahhane Ridge. Robert H. Boardman was hiking on the popular switchback trail near the Ridge.

A statement from the national park said park staff were on scene shortly after the initial report and provided emergency medical assistance. Boardman was transported by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead.

Rangers responding to the incident were able to locate the goat, confirm its identity and kill it. The goat will be transported to a veterinary pathologist for full analysis, the park statement said.

http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101016/NEWS/101019994/hiker-killed-by-mountain-goat-in-olympic-national-park

[joeybee12]

1. Full analysis?

Sucks, but the guy probably got too close...give those guys a wide berth. When they're in their rut they'll charge at anything.

[Maru Kitteh]

2. Are they hoping the goat's execution will deter other goats who may be plotting for murder?

It's the rut for goodness sake.

Not every animal that kills a human has something "wrong" with it.

[Ian David]

3. No, but if there's an epidemic of rabies or scrapie in the goat population, we need to know. n/t

[hlthe2b]

7. Yes.. for those who don't know, scrapie is a form of

transmissible prion disease that causes spongiform encephalopathy, not unlike so-called "mad-cow" disease. Thus, an animal acting unusually aggressive (though, as others have pointed out, this may simply be a result of the rut), should be tested just to be sure there is not another disease explanation that might require control.

[KT2000]

4. this was sad

and a big loss to the community. He was a good man. I am sure he did the best he could with the circumstances and he saved his wife and friend.

[renate]

5. he looks so nice

And when you say "he was a good man" that makes it even sadder. What a bizarre way to die, so unexpected, so sad.

[KT2000]

6. more info - interesting

There is more info if you go to: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com and then click on the story (sorry I am not able to paste the link)

This was a ram they had been watching for some time because of his aggressive behavior. They are going to review their handling of him.

[SoCalDem]

8. Wild animals are territorial...trespassers are not welcome in their homes

It's sad when anyone dies in accidents like this, but not surprising

[applegrove]

9. Just so you all know I worked near mountain goats and they are huge suckers.

Not the little billy goats we are all used to in zoos. Mountain goats are the size of very large deer.