A mountain goat has killed a hiker in Olympic National Park, in Washington:
Witnesses said Mr Boardman, his wife and friend had stopped for lunch on Klahhane Ridge when the ram appeared and moved towards them.
Mr Boardman tried to shoo the animal away but it instead attacked him. After goring the hiker the goat stood over him, and had to be pelted with rocks by a ranger before finally moving away.
[...]
The 63-year-old was transported by US Coast Guard helicopter to a hospital in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead.Rangers later killed the goat, which was known for its aggressive behaviour.
Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman, told the Peninsula Daily News that in the past rangers had tried “hazing” the ram — inducing it to be frightened of people — by shooting it with bean bags and throwing rocks.
But there had been no reports of any incidents which would have warranted killing the goat, she added.
I was a bit confused by this note:
Some 300 mountain goats live in Olympic National Park. Found only in North America, they usually stand about 3ft (0.9m) at the shoulder and can weigh up to 300lbs (136kg).
Goats live in the mountains elsewhere, but only the Rocky Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) goes by the name mountain goat.
The goat that lives in the Alps is the Alpine ibex — totally different.
(Hat tip to Todd, who laments that wild animals are f—ing savages.)
Even domestic goats can be quite dangerous. A few days ago I listened to a podcast by crazed redneck Jim Giles, in which he related the story of the ferocious battle he had with his own goat. Luckily for him, he was armed with an axe handle.