The Park City Police Department continues to receive reports of wildlife sightings in or close to neighborhoods even as the snow is melting at the higher elevations.
Animals tend to move higher as grazing becomes available with the melting snow. Sightings become less likely since people generally live in neighborhoods at the lower elevations. There is also less of a chance of serious collisions between drivers and wildlife at the higher elevations since traffic is not as heavy there and speed limits are typically lower.
The snowmelt is continuing in Park City and will likely last through at least the early part of summer.
The recent police reports involving wildlife did not appear to be serious and resembled many of the others received by the police over time. Officers who respond to wildlife sightings usually attempt to ensure the animals are not a threat to people or drivers. There were several cases, though, in places where traffic is heavy.
Some of the cases:
• On Monday, May 27, at 7:47 p.m., a moose, described as young, was seen crossing the street in the area of the intersection of Park Avenue and Deer Valley Drive. The animal had moved out of the street by the time of the report to the police. The person who contacted the agency indicated the moose may have moved into a parking lot. The person also told the police they were worried a driver would hit the animal.
• On Friday, May 24, at 9:43 p.m., four elk were seen close to the road along S.R. 224 in the area of Quarry Mountain. They were close to a parking lot for a trail, the police were told. The agency indicated the animals created a traffic hazard.
• On Wednesday, May 22, at 9:18 a.m. a duck and ducklings were reported to be “in the road trying to cross” in the area of Deer Valley Drive and Bonanza Drive.
• On May 22 at 8:15 a.m., a moose and a calf were seen close to a trailhead in the area of the intersection of Park Avenue and Holiday Ranch Loop Road.
• On Tuesday, May 21, at 6:24 a.m., a herd of elk was seen in the area of the intersection of S.R. 224 and Meadows Drive.