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Utah wildlife officials save moose trapped in golf course cistern where her calves drowned

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources work on rescuing a moose that got stranded in the Lambs Creek diversion pond near Mountain Dell golf course, on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources responded to a call at Mountain Dell Golf Course after a family of moose became trapped in a cistern on the grounds. Two calves drowned, but crews were able to save the mother.

A small herd lives in the area and frequents the golf course. The family got through a fence, fell into the cistern at some point last night and was discovered Sunday morning, according to a Mountain Dell employee.

“We’re just beside ourselves right now,” the employee said. “It’s a bummer.”

Utah wildlife officials tranquilized the mother and were able to get her out of the diversion pond with the use of a backhoe. The moose is expected to recover.

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