A mountain goat that entered Resurrection Bay in Seward and drowned Saturday was crowded into the water by people following it through the downtown area, troopers said.
Reports that the goat, standing on a breakwater dike, was being harassed first came in at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, according to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch. Roughly half an hour later, a second report came in that the goat was "swimming in front of the SeaLife Center in the ocean."
According to the Seward City News, the goat traveled to the downtown area from the Small Boat Harbor with animal control officers in "hot pursuit."
"Investigation revealed a large amount of people followed the goat towards the SeaLife Center on the rocks, resulting in the goat jumping back into the water," troopers wrote. "The goat was unable to come back to the rocks due to the people standing on the rocks. The goat ended up drowning in the water."
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A good Samaritan recovered the goat's carcass, troopers said.
"It is imperative that wildlife is given adequate space to be able to leave a congested area like downtown Seward," troopers wrote. "(P)eople not giving the animal space and getting close to take photos resulted in a wild animal dying for no cause."
The animal's remains were given to a local charity.