Status of 'iconic' mountain goats living near evacuated B.C. community is uncertain
Officials say unconfirmed sightings leave the fate of the goats unclear as the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire threatens their cliffside habitat.
- On Thursday, uncertainty surrounds the status of 'iconic' mountain goats near the evacuated community of Summerland, B-C, as the Bald Range wildfire burns out of control along Highway 97 cliffs above Okanagan Lake.
- Mountain goats in the Southern Interior live in isolated, fragmented populations due to geography and human development, which has pushed animals into smaller refuges and limited escape routes during fires.
- Researcher Michael Noonan, who studied fire responses in Cathedral Park, noted goats seek higher ground, which is 'not really well matched to fire,' because flames spread upward, potentially trapping animals on steep cliffs.
- Noonan warned that 'there are risks that a few fires like this can eliminate those animals from our region entirely,' placing the population 'on the precipice' amid broader biodiversity loss.
- Experts emphasize improving habitat connectivity, suggesting Humans should maintain escape routes for wildlife similar to those developed for themselves to help vulnerable populations survive future fires.
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Timmins Today
Medicine Hat News'Iconic' wildlife living near evacuated B.C. community 'thought to have escaped fire'
VICTORIA — The British Columbia provincial government says that a small herd of mountain goats are "thought to have escaped" the large wildfire that burns out of control near the evacuated community of Summerland.
‘Iconic’ wildlife living near evacuated B.C. community ‘thought to have escaped fire’
Two newborn mountain goats seen in this undated photo near Summerland, B.C. The area lies within the borders of the Bald Range fire, which forced the evacuation of the community. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – Keith Tedman (Mandatory Credit) VICTORIA — The British Columbia provincial government says that a small herd of mountain goats are “thought to have escaped” the large wildfire that burns out of control near the evacuated community of Summerl…
The Toronto Star
Status of ‘iconic’ mountain goats living near evacuated B.C. community is uncertain
VICTORIA - It is not clear yet what has happened to a small group of "iconic" mountain goats, as a large wildfire burns out of control near the evacuated community
Winnipeg Free Press
Status of 'iconic' mountain goats living near evacuated B.C. community is uncertain
VICTORIA - It is not clear yet what has happened to a small group of
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