SANDPOINT, Idaho— Goats forced U.S. Forest Service workers to close a popular North Idaho hiking trial.
USFS workers blamed aggressive goats on Friday for the closure of Scotchman Peak Trail which is known for its mountain goat sightings.
However, due to humans enticing the goats to come close by offering food, the goats are becoming habituated to humans and behaving aggressively in an attempt to obtain human foods according to USFS official. They said the temporary closure is intended to allow time for the goats find other sources of food beyond the handouts provided by hikers, and to reduce their willingness to approach humans.
This is not the first issue with goats along the trail.
In June, a hiker was bitten by a mountain goat and required multiples stitches. USFS workers said there have also been numerous reports of goats attempting to head-butt or charge hikers.
At this time there is no scheduled date for reopening the trail.
