Overview
- A young male moose settled in a Springville backyard on Sunday and the homeowners called a neighbor and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for help.
- DWR staff worked with local police and neighbors to quietly sedate the animal, perform an on-site physical exam, cool it with water while tranquilized, and load it into a horse trailer for transport.
- Biologists determined the moose was healthy after the quick check and released it into habitat with streams and beaver ponds away from residential areas.
- Officials praised the homeowners for keeping their distance and urged residents to avoid approaching large wildlife, keep pets indoors, and call wildlife authorities for similar sightings.
- Wildlife managers say the move toward lower elevations is likely tied to drought and low snowpack, which reduces food and water and could produce more neighborhood encounters this season.