KANAB -- There hadn't been a reported antelope sighting in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for the past 25 years.
The animals were reintroduced but mysteriously disappeared. Now, experts are trying again to bring the antelope back home.Approximately 100 pronghorn antelope were captured two weeks ago on Parker Mountain.
The antelope, with their orange, white and black markings, were taken to Kanab, about 310 miles south of Salt Lake City, where they were released.
"This is putting a native animal back into its historic habitat," said Harry Barber, wildlife biologist for the 200 million-acre monument. "This allows people that visit the monument to see another big game species other than deer or bighorn sheep."
The Bureau of Land Management and the Division of Wildlife Resources have been working the last three years to restore antelope the population.
It's not clear why the previous reintroduction failed, but Barber isn't taking any chances this time.
"The reasons are uncertain," Barber said. "But we're going to be monitoring these animals more closely to see if they disappear again."
Experts decided to bring the antelope to the Grand Staircase because the vegetation and setting are close to the animal's historic habitat, Barber said.
Officials also looked into several archaeological sites in Kane County, adjacent to Kanab, where they found the bones of antelope, deer and bighorn sheep. In reviewing journal entries from 100 years ago, Barber said pioneers mention antelope on the Arizona Strip, but they had mistaken them as llamas.
"We suspect what they saw were antelope," said Barber.
The BLM plans on keeping a close watch on the animals, which have been marked with a numbered ear tag. More law enforcement has been assigned to patrol the area and wildlife officials plan to fly over the area to make sure the antelope survive, Barber said.
Antelope hunting will not be allowed in the area until the population increases and can sustain itself, Barber added. Until then, Barber will have his eyes on the precious animals. "It's one of the ultimate career duties," he said.