Wildlife officials from Utah and Idaho captured 43 Rocky Mountain goats on the Tushar Mountains near Beaver last week. Twenty of the goats were hauled to Mount Loafer in Utah County. The others made a long trip to Salmon, Idaho.
The goats on the Tushars were introduced there in 1986 when they were brought in from Olympic National Park in Washington. The goats have flourished on the Tushars and biologists felt it time to cull the herd and approved a relocation effort.
The Tushar Mountain goats can frequently be seen near the Big John Flat campground off of State Highway 153 in Beaver Canyon.
See video of the Rocky Mountain goat transplant at www.sltrib.com/outdoors.
Antelope Island Balloon Stampede
Antelope Island State Park is hosting the Antelope Island Balloon Stampede on Friday and Saturday, with activities starting Friday at 5 p.m. and running until 10 p.m. with entertainment, food and vendor booths.
The state park gates will open at 5:30 a.m. Saturday with a ceremony at dawn and breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Balloons are expected to launch, weather permitting, between 7 and 8 a.m. The booths will be open throughout the day with a balloon glow scheduled at dusk. The cost is $10 per vehicle.
Call 801-593-2200 or visit www.antelopeballoons.com for more information.
Orienteering
The Utah Orienteering Club is holding a Night Orienteering Score Meet on Sept. 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hidden Valley Park, 11820 S. Highland Drive, in Sandy. There is no fee to participate. Visit www.o-utah.org for more information.
Bridge opening
The Parley's Rails, Trails and Tunnels Coalition is holding an opening ceremony for the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 215 near the mouth of Parley's Canyon on Friday at 10 a.m.
The event will be held at the Grandeur Peak Trailhead, at about 2900 South and Wasatch Boulevard. A free shuttle will run from the parking lot of the empty store at 3100 S. 3300 South.
Swimmable rivers
Akiko Busch, author of Nine Ways to Cross a River, is speaking at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Salt Lake City Library Auditorium. The event is free and sponsored by Great Salt Lakekeeper. Akiko will talk about her encounters and experiences while swimming across American rivers and why Utahns should promote swimmable waterways in the state.
Birding
Great Salt Lake Audubon is holding the following trips. Beginning birders are welcome, carpooling is encouraged and confirmation is required.
John Middleton will lead a trip to the Jordanelle Wetlands on Sunday starting at 7:30 a.m. Call 801-322-2171.
Bob Huntington and Deedee O'Brien will lead the monthly half-day trip to Farmington Bay starting at 8 a.m. Call O'Brien at 801-272-8060.
Free REI clinic
REI employee Mike Packard will present a slide show and stories about a rafting trip on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake store, 3285 E. 3300 South, in East Millcreek.
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* To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@ sltrib.com or by mail to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.
