Zoo’s Rocky Mountain goats to be relocated to cooler climate

The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance announced its Rocky Mountain goats will be relocated because of Denver’s climate, according to an Instagram post Thursday.

The 5-year-old goats, Elbert and Magnolia, were born in Tacoma, Wash., in 2019, before being rescued for being a “nuisance” in the area, according to the post. The goats were relocated to the Denver Zoo in 2020, becoming cherished staples of the community.

The goats will move back to their original zoo next week because animal care teams at the Denver Zoo determined they need a cooler climate, the post stated. “While our expert teams provided great care during the hot summer months, including shade, ice and misters, these mountain-dwelling animals are naturally suited for higher elevations,” the zoo wrote in the post.

Although Elbert and Magnolia will be leaving, the zoo announced it’s expecting a new species to take their place this year.

— Graeme Taskerud, The Denver Post

Lyft driver who kidnapped and sexually assaulted passengers gets 290 years

John Edgar Pastor-Mendoza, 43, was found guilty in October of 30 charges, including kidnapping a dozen women, sexually assaulting two and attempting to sexually assault seven others.

Police said he targeted intoxicated women and posed as their assigned ride home before attacking them, in some cases stealing property such as their underwear and cellphones.

On Friday, Denver District Judge Karen Brody sentenced Pastor-Mendoza to 290 years to life in prison.

“Pastor-Mendoza victimized 12 women in a calculated, cruel and contemptible series of crimes over four years. … We should all be grateful for the courage of Pastor-Mendoza’s victims, who came forward and testified at trial to ensure that Pastor-Mendoza will no longer have the opportunity to harm our community,” District Attorney John Walsh said in a news release.

— Max Levy, The Denver Post