El Paso has lost more than a wildlife icon—it’s lost a chance to honor the memory of Bob the Goat in a meaningful way. After living peacefully in the Franklin Mountains and becoming a beloved sight for hikers, Bob met a tragic end in August during an attempted relocation by Texas Parks and Wildlife. But the controversy that erupted after his death isn’t just about the ill-fated relocation. It’s about a passionate local effort that sparked a much-needed conversation about accountability, community, and honoring what Bob represented.

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The Memorial That Almost Was


When Pawsitive Rescuers, a local animal advocacy group, retrieved Bob’s skull and horns, they aimed to bring him back to El Paso and create a roadside memorial near the Franklin Mountains, the place he called home. They partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation and an El Paso artist and launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $4,000 for the tribute. But the announcement sparked backlash. Critics jumped on the fact that Bob’s remains returned as only a skull and horns, a detail that Pawsitive Rescuers explained was unavoidable due to the necropsy performed after his death. Some questioned the group’s motives, accusing them of exploitation. Others, however, raised more nuanced concerns: why should it fall on a private citizen to create a memorial for a tragedy caused by Texas Parks and Wildlife?

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Accountability in Bob’s Death

Many of the informed voices in the conversation highlighted a glaring issue—the lack of accountability from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The agency, responsible for Bob’s death during their relocation attempt, has done little to reconcile with the community. Bob had become an iconic part of the Franklin Mountains experience. But his presence conflicted with Texas Parks and Wildlife’s efforts to reintroduce native bighorn sheep to the area. Their capture attempt resulted in Bob’s death, attributed to stress and old age. Yet, despite the community outcry, the agency offered no significant apology or plan to honor the beloved animal, leaving locals to shoulder both the grief and the responsibility of creating a tribute.

Jumping to Conclusions

 

 

 

 

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While some criticism of the memorial came from misinformation, the deeper frustration points to a broader issue—why didn’t Texas Parks and Wildlife take the lead? Instead, a private group of passionate citizens stepped up to do what the agency didn’t. Without their efforts, Bob’s remains would still be in Alpine, Texas, far from the home he brought so much joy to.

A lot of the backlash also came from peoples skepticism about GoFundMe's, prompting lots of uninformed commenters to believe that the money being raised was going directly into the pockets of the organization.

Yet, the backlash grew so intense that Pawsitive Rescuers ultimately canceled the project, refunded donations, and shifted focus away from what should have been a moment of collective healing.

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A Call for Responsibility

Bob the Goat deserved a proper tribute, but more importantly, the community deserved acknowledgment and reconciliation from the entity responsible for his death. The controversy over the memorial isn’t just about social media backlash or personal opinions—it’s about a lack of leadership and accountability.

Let’s hope that Texas Parks and Wildlife learns from this moment and steps up to honor Bob’s legacy in a way that matches the love this community had for him. El Paso deserves closure, and Bob deserves to be remembered—not as a divisive issue, but as a cherished part of our shared history.

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