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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah wildlife experts are asking drivers to be careful of elk on roadways as wintering herds have started to migrate into the valleys after a series of storms the past few weeks.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers briefly shut down traffic by the I-80 and I-215 interchange near the mouth of Parleys Canyon Wednesday morning to allow elk herds to pass. Utah Department of Transportation traffic cameras captured the moment the elk crossed the road.
Similar instances played out around Parleys Canyon earlier this week. However, elk herds have also wandered into other parts of the Wasatch Front this month. Brandon Ethington submitted photos and video of a herd that wandered its way onto fields at Viewpoint Middle School in Lehi last week.
This tends to happen when heavier snowfall takes place in the mountains and foothills, says Michael Packer, a wildlife technician for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Several feet of snow have fallen in the Wasatch Mountains since late December. The National Weather Service reports that Parleys Summit still has a 16-inch snow depth, while higher-elevation sites above the Wasatch Front have multiple feet.
The snow pushes herds into the valleys, where the animals seek shelter and food until the conditions improve and they return to their preferred habitat. There are no indications that the migrating elk herds are sick or injured.
"It's more of a condition-dependent of just heavier snow — they're not a fan," Packer told KSL-TV on Monday.
The only problem is it can create more vehicle-wildlife interactions, including on freeways like I-80 and I-215. It wasn't much of an issue last year, but Utah's record snowfall two years ago led to several elk-related shutdowns. Salt Lake City leaders even issued a temporary order requiring all dogs to be leashed at Tanner Park/Parleys Historic Nature Park because of potential interactions with the Parleys Canyon herd.
There's no telling how long herds will stay in the valley. The Parleys Canyon herd ultimately lingered in the valley for months in 2023, primarily staying at the Salt Lake Country Club before being ushered back into the canyon.
Anyone who encounters an elk is urged to remain calm and give the animal space, according to Wild Aware Utah, a joint venture between state wildlife officials and other wildlife experts. They're more likely to be active near dawn and dusk.
Packer said drivers should slow down and be vigilant if they see elk while driving because they aren't typically alone.
"If you see wildlife on the side of the road, particularly elk, it's often an indicator that there are other animals there," he said. "They travel in herds, so if you see one, chances are there's going to be more behind them."
Contributing: Shara Park
