BEND, Ore. (AP) — Hundreds of central Oregon residents have made the trip out to Dry Canyon east of Bend to see a Rocky Mountain goat that’s taken up residence there and is often visible off Highway 20 East.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologist Steve George says his department has not seen Rocky Mountain goats in that location before. The 2-year-old male goat was first seen in mid-December. Agents put a radio-collar on him earlier this month so they can track his movements. Then they released him back into the Dry Canyon area.
George says they also took DNA samples to compare with other goat populations and see if agents can determine where he came from. He says wildlife staff saw the goat again this week and he’s still in the same area.
The Wildlife Department says Rocky Mountain goats are found in several mountain ranges of northeast Oregon and in the Cascade Mountains in Washington state, including Mount Adams. Oregon’s largest population is found in the Elkhorn Mountains.
