University of Iowa recovers lost goat

The University of Iowa has got its goat.

Ten days after a goat bolted from a portable carrier outside the UI Research Park, a resident Monday spotted it and called the Coralville Police Department, which in turn called in the university's Office of Animal Resources, a UI spokeswoman said. The animal was captured about 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of First Avenue and Auburn East Lane, between Coralville and North Liberty.

Veterinarians who examined the animal said it was in good health, according to a university statement.

The goat, which the university acquired from a local farm as an adult in September, was being used for orthopedic research.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Information System showed that the UI in the 2015 budget year used 1,659 animals in research, including 20 goats. Officials said the university has 14 goats, including the one that was at large.

Last week, the university said there had been several sightings of the goat, mostly north of the research park and as far east as the Dubuque Street neighborhoods near the Coralville Dam area, about 8 miles away.

A letter from the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals last week called on the university to give the goat 'sanctuary' once found. But UI's statement Monday was silent on what's in store for the goat.

The goat's unofficial Twitter account has already picked up on the capture.

February 9, 2016

@KGertsen I might be a hostage, but there are some really tasty snacks here. Comfy beds too!

— UofI Goat (@UofIGoat)

UI goat recovered

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