UI research goat on the lam

CORALVILLE — The search is on for a goat the size of a small deer that escaped from the University of Iowa Research Park in Coralville on Friday morning.

The goat bolted from a portable carrier while being moved to a vehicle for transportation to a housing facility at around 9 a.m., Friday. According to the university, there is no public health risk and the animal is in 'excellent health.' If spotted, the public is urged to call UI Public Safety at 319-335-5022.

'The health and safety of animals used for research is of paramount importance and the university is investigating the cause of the incident to prevent it from happening again,' the university said in a statement.

The goat is described as male, with a white and cream color weighing about 125 pounds, 'about the size of a small deer.'

The animal was last seen near Brown Deer Golf Course late on Friday morning. The animal may seek food from residential areas, according to the university.

UI said it has reported the incident to funding agencies and appropriate regulatory bodies, in compliance with federal regulations. The Office of Research and Economic Development, which oversees the Office of Animal Resources, has suspended activities in the lab responsible for the goat pending further investigation into the incident, according to UI.

University of Iowa Public Safety, Coralville Police, Coralville City Animal Control, members of the UI Office of Animal Resources and UI veterinarians responded to the incident and to assist in the search.