Story highlights Alaska State Patrol asks that visitors stay away from wildlife

Mountain goat drowns after being chased in the small Alaska town of Seward

(CNN) A crowd of onlookers snapping pictures of a mountain goat chased the animal to its death in the small Alaska town of Seward.

Now the Division of Alaska State Troopers is asking visitors to "stay back for your own protection and the protection of the animal," said spokeswoman Megan Peters.

The goat's death was set in motion when it ventured to the south end of the Seward Harbor breakwater dike on Saturday, according to Peters.

Seward troopers received a report of onlookers harassing a mountain goat. But the white goat was gone by the time troopers arrived, Peters said.

A half hour later, another call was received about the goat swimming in the ocean in front of the SeaLife Center. Investigators determined that a large group had followed the animal to the aquarium and marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility, where it jumped into the ocean.

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