Factors influencing the reaction of mountain goats towards all‐terrain vehicles

摘要: The increasing popularity of recreational activities in the wild has led to concerns about their potential impacts on wildlife. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) often bring people into wildlife habitats, where they may disturb animal populations. We assessed influence ATVs behavior mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) a long-term study population at Caw Ridge, Alberta, Canada. used multinomial models containing environment-, disturbance-, and group-related factors, evaluate response approach ATVs. Goats were moderately strongly disturbed by 44% time, disturbance levels mainly influenced direction speed approaching vehicles. Environment- or factors (e.g., time year, distance escape terrain, group size type) did not affect goat responses Because reactions disturbance-level we propose mitigating measures regarding use minimize goats, potentially other alpine ungulates. © 2012 Wildlife Society.