Monday, April 05, 2004

Tahrgets

The Cape Times has this story about animal rights activists interfering with current management protocols for Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) on Table Mountain in South Africa. The tahr, which resembles a shaggy goat, was accidentally introduced to the area 70 years ago. Now more than 100 of the animals roam the mountain, causing erosion and eating native plants. Friends of the Tahr have organized to demand that workers at Table Mountain National Park stop killing the animals, and have even sued to stop the culling. Park officials say that tahr numbers are too high, and it is too expensive to trap and relocate the animals, which have gotten very good at hiding from humans.

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