The Applicability of Contraceptives in the Elimination or Control of Exotic Mountain Goats from Olympic National Park: Final Report Scientific Panel Review
Warren RJ, Fayrer-Hosken RA, Jessup DA, Garrott RA, Kirkpatrick JF. 1992. The Applicability of Contraceptives in the Elimination or Control of Exotic Mountain Goats from Olympic National Park: Final Report Scientific Panel Review. Olympic National Park. Port Angeles, WA
A five-member panel of scientists (wildlife biologists, reproductive physiologists, and veterinarians) conducted an independent, on-site review to evaluate the potential for contraceptives to eliminate or control mountain goats in Olympic National Park. All panel members were experienced in experimental applications of the latest contraceptives to free-ranging wild or feral animal populations. .... The panel concluded that there currently are no remotely deliverable contraceptives or sterilants available that have been proven to provide long-term infertility or permanent sterility in mountain goats. Even if such contraceptive or sterilant agents were available, the panel believes treating mountain goats in the park with these agents would represent a very expensive, never-ending program that, at best, would only partially control the population. Therefore, despite the fact that each member of the panel is personally committed to developing non-lethal control techniques for wildlife, they came to the unanimous conclusion that lethal shooting appears to be the only feasibile option for use in eliminating mountain goats in Olympci National Park. Indeed, even with the use of lethal shooting, it likely will be very expensive and difficult to totally eliminate goats from the park.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Warren, R; Fayrer-Hosken, R; Jessup, D; Garrott, R; Kirkpatrick, J
- Date of Issue
- 1992
- Publisher
- Olympic National Park
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Contraception, Exotic, Management, Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), Olympic National Park, sterilization