Notoriously Aggressive Mountain Goats Addicted to Human Pee and Sweat Airlifted Out of Park

In 2018, people watched several mountain goats soaring through the air, flying across Olympic National Park in northwest Washington. While it was a weird and amusing sight, the reason was hilarious. It so happened that mountain goats in the park were growing notorious for getting high on their favorite ingredient, human pee and sweat. Yes, as icky as that sounds, you heard that right. What was deadly about them is how they all turned gangster-like to get what they want, even attacking and butting humans.

The Great Goat Airlift of 2018

In one of the most unusual wildlife relocations to date, Olympic National Park found itself airlifting mountain goats out of the area in 2018. Why? These goats had developed a rather… unquenchable thirst, but not for your usual mountain stream or crystal-clear lake. No, these goats had become obsessed with human urine and sweat. Yes, you read that right—our bodily fluids were their new favorite electrolyte-rich beverage. It’s safe to say things had gotten a bit awkward between park visitors and these urine-loving goats.

Thirsty for Trouble

Mountain goats are natural foragers, accustomed to seeking out salt deposits in the wild. However, when humans come hiking, peeing, and sweating all over the park, they unknowingly provide the goats with an easy (and slightly unsanitary) source of salt. Instead of licking rocks, the goats get hooked on the sodium in human urine and sweat left behind on trails, campsites, and even unwashed backpacks. Suddenly, the Olympic Peninsula was looking less like a hiking paradise and more like a strange goat rave.

It all Began in 1920

Surprisingly, mountain goats were not native to the area. In 1920, they were introduced into the park after which things got kind of out of hand. The population of the goats blossomed into more than 700 ungulates or large animals with hooves. What’s more, with humans flooding the area, the goats then got wind of an easy way to feast on their delicacy and that’s when it all spiraled out of control.

The Urine Wars Begin

By 2010, things had escalated. Park visitors were reporting some rather unsettling encounters—mountain goats that wouldn’t leave them alone, some even showing aggressive behavior. The goats were reportedly getting territorial, especially over areas where people had relieved themselves. Park rangers even issued warnings, encouraging visitors to urinate at least 200 feet away from trails and to avoid leaving sweaty clothing or gear lying around. Basically, keep your fluids to yourself, folks! It turned gory when one hiker was gored to death which for the NPS was the last straw. Something had to be done.

Time to Call in the Helicopters

Although the authorities tried everything, the problem had no solution. Finally in 2018, Olympic National Park began the process of airlifting these thirsty goats out of the park. It wasn’t just a few stubborn goats either—about 375 mountain goats were targeted for relocation. The goats were sedated, secured in harnesses, and airlifted by helicopter to the nearby North Cascades, where they were released into more appropriate terrain—far from the temptation of human bodily fluids. It was a funny sight watching goats tagged and bagged floating through the air.

A New Home for the Goats

The North Cascades, already home to a healthy mountain goat population, welcomed these newcomers with open arms (or open mountain sides). These areas offered the goats a much more natural environment with plenty of their beloved minerals—no need for sweaty hikers or public restrooms. The relocation effort, which took place over several weeks, was a success, helping restore balance both in the goats’ lives and for the humans visiting Olympic National Park.

The Future of Olympic National Park

The airlift of 2018 marked a significant moment in wildlife management for Olympic National Park. While the goats were whisked away to a new home, the park continues to educate visitors on the importance of keeping a safe and sanitary environment for wildlife. Meanwhile, park rangers are undoubtedly relieved to see fewer goats sniffing around for their next fix. As for the goats, they’re presumably living their best lives in the North Cascades, enjoying their natural salt sources and, hopefully, no longer craving the strange taste of human byproducts. The story of Olympic National Park’s goats is a reminder that nature can be as unpredictable as it is amusing—sometimes with a little too much thirst for adventure.