Conservationists and Mountain Goats

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Some conservationists hunt out of concern for the ecosystem. Others just find that hunting sits better for them for ethical reasons. It is interesting to think, also, of the way that we consume animals. Having an animal live its life in the wilds as it should, and then being eaten and appreciated,. versus an animal that's been bred and maybe lived in conditions that are really awful for it's entire life.

Mountain goats are not goats. And there’s only one living species, Oreamnos americanus. WHAT?? Montana-based wildlife biologist and Oreamnologist Julie Cunningham counts mountain goats from helicopters, traps and tests them for science, and spends even her off days searching for them on mountaintops. We cover their population, sensual mating habits, the feel of their wool, pungent goatwhiff, tips for hikers and how these animals defy gravity scaling near-vertical cliffs. Oh also, why your favorite trail might be delicious.

Julie Cunningham’s bio

A donation was made to the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance: GoatAlliance.org

You may also enjoy: Cervidology (DEER), Bovine Neuropathology (HEADBUTTING), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Cryoseismology (ICEQUAKES), Bryology (MOSS), Phenology (SEASONS)

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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media

Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary