This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Liquid lures mountain goats.
For mountain goats in Glacier National Park, Mont.,
sweet-tasting antifreeze seems to be the drug of choice. Heading
toward 6,000-foot Logan Pass, motorists can see up to 20 goats at a
time fighting for the coolant that drips from overheated cars. At
the summer parking lot many habituated goats gather where the
leaking liquid forms pools. Brace Hayden, manager of park
resources, says the goats must have a strong constitution because
if a dog laps up antifreeze it usually dies. The Park Service plans
to deter the goats by installing drains or grates in the parking
lots, or by periodically hosing off the pavement. Hayden says the
high-altitude road cuts through goat habitat and for years they
have been seen licking the liquid. Only recently have the goats –
and tourists with cameras – caused traffic
jams.