Moose that get too close to urban areas in Saskatchewan may have a target on their backs as officials work on ways to reduce the number of animals entering cities.

On Saturday, police in Saskatoon said they had to work with conservation officials to track down, tranquilize and remove two young bull moose that had found their way to an open space on Avenue C North.

Two weeks earlier, a moose made it all the way to the edge of Regina's downtown before conservation officers were able to get control of the situation.

On Friday, Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment said officials have been working on ways to keep moose away from urban areas.

According to the ministry, the number of moose in southern Saskatchewan has increased in the last 30 years, and that has already led to an increase in the number of permits issued for hunting the animal.

Four years ago, 250 permits were issued. This year, in southern Saskatchewan, 1,300 permits are available.

Brad Tokaruk, a spokesman from the ministry, said Friday the strategy of increasing permit numbers will focus on areas near cities.

"That strategy will identify certain areas and one of them will be near urban centres," Tokaruk said. "We're going to put more pressure on moose numbers to reduce them dramatically."

Bull moose in Saskatoon

According to a news release from the Saskatoon police, the moose that showed up in the city on Saturday "were reported to be enjoying the lush vegetation in a green space" around the 2500 block of Avenue C North.

Police said 2 moose were found in an open area near the 2500 block of Avenue C North. (Google Streetview)

"Given their significant size and close proximity to busy roadways it was necessary for them to be tranquilized and removed once they were located," police said. "To safely accomplish this traffic was diverted from the area for a brief period of time."

A member of the provincial environment ministry then fired a sedative into the animals.

Police said the moose were being removed to an area outside the city.