Heavy snowfall in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains has forced the state’s elk population to seek refuge at lower elevations.
It’s not uncommon to see large herds hanging out in the snow-covered golf courses of Park City, but the snow is apparently too deep there as well.
In need of sustainable food sources, the elk have traveled down I-80, and are residing close to the Salt Lake City limits.
This has caused issues for motorists over the last couple of weeks.
The video below shows a big elk herd crossing I-80 yesterday morning. The road was closed to allow them to safely cross.
The elk are currently on the north side of I-80 and east of Foothill drive. Please continue to avoid the area while we get the situation under control. pic.twitter.com/R5VDueNinG
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) February 1, 2023
Again, it’s fairly uncommon that elk venture this far out of the mountains, but locals are seeing it as a reason to build more wildlife bridges to allow the animals to safely cross the highway without interrupting traffic.
UDOT constructed a $5 million wildlife bridge over I-80 in Parley’s Canyon a few years ago.
Need those dang land bridges asap!!
— Peter (@thepetergrimm) February 2, 2023
Could we see more in the future?