A mountain goat drowned in an Alaskan Harbor over the weekend as onlookers followed it through downtown trying to take pictures and crowded it into the water, according to police.
The goat had entered Resurrection Bay in Seward around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday as people gathered too closely around the wayward goat, according to Alaska State Troopers.
“Seward Troopers received a report of individuals harassing a mountain goat on the south end of the Seward Harbor breakwater dike. When Troopers arrived the goat had already left the area. Approximately 30 minutes later another report was received the mountain goat was now swimming in front of the SeaLife Center in the ocean. Investigation revealed a large amount of people followed the goat towards the SeaLife Center on the rocks resulting in the goat jumping back in to the water. The goat was unable to come back to the rocks due to the people standing on the rocks. The goat ended up drowning in the water.
It is imperative that wildlife is given adequate space to be able to leave a congested area like downtown Seward. Due to people not giving the animal space and getting close to take photos resulted in a wild animal dying for no cause.”
Patrice Fero, who was aboard a boat, was among those who spotted the strange site of a mountain goat in an urban centre. She also snapped an incredible series of photos.
“Now I am going to show you the weirdest thing I have seen and could hardly believe it,” she posted on Facebook. “As we were coming back into the harbor their are rocks that surround the harbor. The captain warned us what were about to see. Seward had lots of close mountains. Low and behold there was a mountain goat that had come down off the mountain and wandered out to the harbor on the rocks.”
State troopers said the goat’s body was given to charity after it was recovered by a “good Samaritan” operating the boat the Interceptor.
Steve Fink captured this short video for the Seward City News of the goat trying to make its way to safety. Don’t worry, you don’t actually see it fall into the water, but it’s still awfully sad.
h/t Alaska Dispatch News Photos Patrice Fero/Facebook
