SALT LAKE CITY — A herd of elk that has been wandering too close to humans and traffic for the past few weeks, is back again.

Drivers near Foothill Drive and Parley’s Canyon in Salt Lake City have seen Utah Highway Patrol officials working to move the herd back into the hills.

For some of these elk, their luck ran out when they were hit by unsuspecting drivers over the past few days. On Friday, that happened again 

KSL photographer Derek Petersen was at the scene on Friday morning.

The elk herd is on the move.. #KSLTV #SLCElk pic.twitter.com/dcbdUX6myI

— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) February 3, 2023

 

By 8 a.m., KSL Traffic reported that the Utah Highway Patrol continued to work in the area, trying to keep the elk from entering traffic, endangering their life and potentially that of drivers in the area.

@UTHighwayPatrol stopping lanes on EB 80 again to allow some straggling elk across the road. WB drivers also need to use caution near the Foothill Drive exit. pic.twitter.com/NhXqiWqoRS

— Heather Kelly (@KSLHeatherKelly) February 3, 2023

Earlier, the Utah Department of Transportation reported a crash involving wildlife in Holladay.

Crash/Wildlife in area
EB I-80 at MP 127 (2800 E / Holladay) Salt Lake Co.
Right Shoulder
Est. Clearance Time: 8:19 AM
For updates: https://t.co/jaVMw7e9Jm

— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) February 3, 2023

In the past week, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has assisted Utah law and traffic enforcement to get this herd back into the mountains. Spokesperson Faith Heaton Jolley said it isn’t uncommon to see elk, deer, and even moose in the city in the winter months.

 

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