Bighorn Sheep

     Bighorn sheep are one of two species of mountain sheep in North America. They range in color from light brown to grayish or dark brown. They have a white rump and lining on the backs of all four legs. Bighorn sheep get their name from the large, curved horns on the males, or rams. They are known for their ability to climb high, steep, rocky mountain areas. Bighorn Sheep can be found mostly in northern and western regions of America, but they are most prominent in California.
     The primary threats to Bighorn Sheep are unregulated and illegal hunting, or poaching, predation by natural enemies, disease, and loss of food from domestic livestock grazing and climate changes.
      Diseases from domestic livestock have devastated their population and the loss of habitat from development have become an increased threat.
      Normally, predators like mountain lions, wolves, bobcats, and coyotes do not pose a threat to Bighorn Sheep, but in areas where sheep population are low, the death of sheep from natural predators can be a risk to larger populations.
     About one-third of California's populations of desert Bighorn Sheep have died out throughout the past century. These losses occurred primarily from lower elevations where there is increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation that have reduced the amount of vegetation they depend on for foraging and water.

How to Help

     Population of Bighorn Sheep hit a low of about 280 in 1995. Since then, their inclusion on the federal endangered species list has increased their population to about 600.
     Much like many endangered species, conservation groups have developed to help save Bighorn Sheep. There are a few known game ranges within Arizona that aid in the prevention of their endangerment. The link provided is an example of one of many conservation game ranges.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Bighorn Sheep
Photographed by Ron Niebrugge