Natural History Wanderings

The New York Times reported on the successes wildlife agencies have had in bringing back Bighorn Sheep populations. Bighorn Sheep that once roamed the west were quickly decimated by the introduction of European domestic sheep. The domestic sheep brought diseases such as scabies and pneumonia against which the wild sheep had no immunity. By 1940 the total Bighorn Sheep population had shrunk to less than 20,000.

State Wildlife agencies have had success relocating sheep from existing herds to areas where they once lived but have been gone extinct. Additionally efforts have been made to keep domestic sheep away from Bighorns. An example of the success has been Nevada where the Bighorn Sheep population has increased to 11,000 from only 2,000 in the mid-20th century.

Much of the funding has come from hunters. There is concern that if interest in hunting decreases there will no longer be funds for the conservation efforts. It is hoped that efforts to make the general public more aware of the plight of the Bighorn Sheep will help. Read more at:   A Symbol of the Range Returns Home – NYTimes.com.