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DRAPER — Some possibilities have been eliminated, but wildlife officials Friday said they still weren't sure what happened to 10 geese found dead on the side of the road earlier this week.
About 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, 10 dead geese were found along 700 West between 11400 South and 12000 South. All of them had been gutted. The birds were in advanced stages of decomposition. And they were all soaked even though the pavement was dry, said Utah Division of Wildlife conservation officer Ray Loken.
After taking X-rays of all the geese, "Nearly every bird had shotgun pellets in it, but none of them looked to be fatal wounds," he said. "It was not enough to kill them."
All 10 birds were also gutted the same way, and in a way that Loken said makes him believe other animals were not responsible.
Investigators have received one lead they've been following, he said: a dark-colored, newer model large pickup truck was spotted in that same area about midnight.
Anyone with information about the dead geese can call the DWR's poaching hotline at 800-662-3337. All calls can remain anonymous, and information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible could result in a reward.
