Goat Man Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Fellow Cascade climbers, I'm a graduate student at Western Washington University and I'm studying the genetic structure of mountain goat populations in the Cascade range. I'm interested in understanding the landscape factors that restrict gene flow between populations, and I'm also studying the genetic impacts of Olympic range goats relocated to the Cascades in the 1980's. This analysis will assist wildlife management agencies in managing their recovery (mountain goats have declined by 70% since 1960 and are continuing to decline in many places). I'm collecting genetic samples in the form of goat scat (poop) this summer from throughout both the Olympic and Cascade ranges, and I'm asking the climbing community to assist me in collecting samples. The more we collect, the greater the chances this study will reveal useful information that could help in the conservation of this species. Goat scat looks like most other ungulate scat... little pellets that are either in a clump or break apart into a pile. The fresher the better (old scat is difficult to isolate DNA from). If you find mountain goat scat, and are willing to help, please place 4-5 pellets per sample in a container or zip lock bag, put them in the freezer when you get home, and contact me by email at wherelizardsdare@yahoo.com. If anyone is interested in an internship this summer, I have a couple more positions available and have funding to pay mileage and per diem for your sample collection trips. Thank you all for any help with this project you can spare, and enjoy your summer in the mountains. Cheers, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MountaingirlBC Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 My climbing partners aready think I'm weird for carrying rocks out. This might be good for a laugh Will see what I can do! I'll put the rocks in their packs to make room for the poo in mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Damn, just missed this request. These furry fellas woke me up at @ 6am just yesterday morning, I could have covered your requirements from the Elkhorns (Oregon) bigtime. BTW, interesting note in that one of our party was an Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologist, she says that these aminals populations have exploded in this area to approx 300 animals and they are close to exceeding the lands capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordop Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 BTW, interesting note in that one of our party was an Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologist, she says that these aminals populations have exploded in this area to approx 300 animals and they are close to exceeding the lands capacity. Would be cool if they got so numerous that we could introduce a nice snow leopard population to weed them out. Those things rule! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 i think the world needs more cougars instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 (edited) i think the world needs more cougars instead Finally, something we can agree on. Anyone else wonder how I beat Dru with this comment? Maybe he's sick or laying hurt real bad in a ditch somewhere.....? Edited July 5, 2007 by billcoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I'm thinking this smells like a troll. But, hey, if it succeeds at duping a bunch of dirtbags into toting goat poo around in their packs, I'd have to give credit for it being a good one. I might even participate--sounds like some fun shit. Glad the study wasn't about bear populations. I'd need a bigger pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Have you talked to Tana Beus, another WWU grad student doing NCNP goat work this summer? I have her email if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyHarry Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Unfortunately its pretty difficult to tell the difference b/w deer scat and goat scat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Man Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 Thanks Blake. Tana and I are part of the same project, but thanks for the suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Man Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 You're right, they are difficult to tell apart. Any scat sample found in cliffy terrain would be either mountain goat or possibly big horn sheep, in the few areas where they are found. Deer do visit alpine areas in the summer months, so samples found away from steep terrain could be more difficult to ID. Mountain goat tracks are easily discernable from other ungulates, so if you find goat tracks around the scat, that would help with identification too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairweather Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I assume you're interested in knowing where the scat sample was found. (You didn't ask.) By drainage? GPS coordinates? Wouldn't wool samples be just as easy? I would be happy to help as long as the purpose of your thesis doesn't involve justification for the old ONP program of goat eradication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken4ord Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Yeah I probably got enough wool samples for ya on my velcro gloves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Yeah I probably got enough wool samples for ya on my velcro gloves. OMG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Man Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 I assume you're interested in knowing where the scat sample was found. (You didn't ask.) By drainage? GPS coordinates? Wouldn't wool samples be just as easy? I would be happy to help as long as the purpose of your thesis doesn't involve justification for the old ONP program of goat eradication. Yes, thanks, that's right, we are interested in the location of the sample. GPS coordinates would be best, but pointing to the general area on a topo map would work too. Our purpose is not to justify eradication of the non-native Olympic population (the park service gave up on that 20 years ago). We're trying to understand why the Cascade population is declining and devise ways to reverse the trend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlpineK Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 All those extra goats could be put to use right in Seattle. I'm not kidding or looking for love. All the steep hillsides in Seattle have a major problem with English ivy and many other invasive non native species of plants. We need a few goat herders and thousands of goats on the hills above I-5 and other spots to clean up the place. On top of that all the kids will love driving down the freeway checking out the goats. baa baa baa baa baa baa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drederek Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I'm thinking this smells like a troll. If it is Blake must be in on it. If its not I'm sorry, I just have a skeptical streak in me. I remember there being a lot more goats in the in the Olympics 10 years ago and while its cool to see one now and again I don't see a decline in their population as being a bad thing. A large enough herd to support one of Dru's bedmates would cause significant damage to the hillsides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TREETOAD Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 All those extra goats could be put to use right in Seattle. I'm not kidding or looking for love. All the steep hillsides in Seattle have a major problem with English ivy and many other invasive non native species of plants. We need a few goat herders and thousands of goats on the hills above I-5 and other spots to clean up the place. On top of that all the kids will love driving down the freeway checking out the goats. baa baa baa baa baa baa http://www.goatsrus.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bug Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Got some. But it tastes funny. Maybe Citadel goats eat too much licken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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