Utah goats trapped and transferred

BEAVER — Rocky Mountain goats were trapped in nets Monday and taken to a new home more than 125 miles away at Loafer Mountain in Utah County.

Wildlife experts planned to move 20 from the Tushar Mountains, east of Beaver. Another 20 goats were being transplanted to Idaho, probably Tuesday, said Scott Root, conservation outreach manager with the state Division of Wildlife Resources.

The goats, captured with nets shot from a helicopter, were blindfolded to reduce the stress, then airlifted for a brief ride to base camp where they were given immunizations, ear tags and tracking collars, Root said.

A truck took them to their new home.

"Loafer Mountain has spectacular habitat for mountain goats," he said. "The nannies will have kids next year, and the population should have a great start."