WILLARD PEAK, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Fifteen mountain goats are scheduled to be transported by helicopter to their new northern Utah home later this season, according to the Division of Wildlife Resources.
DWR officials said they plan to transport 15 mountain goats from a thriving mountain goat herd to a smaller one on Willard Peak in November or December in order to strengthen the regional population.
The transport process — which is used mainly for bighorn sheep and mountain goats — is no easy feat, as the goats must go through several steps before being released into their new habitat.
First, DWR will contract out a wildlife capture company to fly over the herd in a helicopter and shoot a “net gun” to capture the goat.
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Officials with the state Division of Wildlife Resources and State Parks used a helicopter to bring about 15 sheep to a staging area at a ranch on Antelope Island, Utah. Utah wildlife officials mainly uses this method of transport for bighorn sheep and mountain goats. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) -
In this Jan. 5, 2018, file photo, bighorn sheep are transported by officials with the Division of Wildlife Resources and State Parks to a staging area on Antelope Island. DWR mainly uses this method of transport for bighorn sheep and mountain goats. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) -
In this Jan. 5, 2018, file photo, bighorn sheep are transported by officials with the Division of Wildlife Resources and State Parks to a staging area on Antelope Island. DWR mainly uses this method of transport for bighorn sheep and mountain goats. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) -
A pair of mountain goats hang in slings as they are airlifted by helicopter Tuesday, July 9, 2019, to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, near Port Angeles, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) -
A pair of mountain goats hang in slings as they are airlifted by helicopter Tuesday, July 9, 2019, to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, near Port Angeles, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
