Mountain Goats walking through our camp at Chicago Basin in the Weminuche Wilderness

Who doesn't love wildlife? The problem here, as you can see in this video, is that this herd of Mountain Goats is much too familiar and comfortable with humans! I, myself (and most biologists and wildlife enthusiasts) love wild wildlife - the wilderness doesn't need any more pets (or humans for that matter) - it just needs wild and natural wildlife that's difficult to encounter.

And, unfortunately, in Chicago Basin it gets even more bizarre than just the goats walking near me - these particular Mountain Goats follow humans around hoping to acquire our urine for its salt content! A bit gross - not to mention unhealthy for the goats. The Forest Service posts signs recommending people urinate on rocks. I did that, too, but also experimented by buring my urine. Burying didn't work as the goats went to great lengths to paw through the soil, dirt and sand. Very unfortunately.

Anyway, despite these encounters it was still a great hike to the Chicago Basin as we were able to complete four 14ers and one 13er in addition to enjoying some magnificant wilderness!

Here's my personal web page about animals and wildlife:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/animals.html

Here's my page about Wilderness Defense!
http://www.rogerwendell.com/wildernessdefense.html

07-16-2009

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• mountain
• goats
• human
• urine
• needle
• creek
• chicago
• basin
• wminuche
• wilderness
• san
• juan
• national
• forest
• colorado