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Bighorn sheep get their name from the large horns atop their head, which curve backwards toward the sheep's body. They can weigh between 140-300 pounds and average about 3–3½ feet tall ...
There are only approximately 80,000 North American bighorn sheep on the continent currently — much less than the between 150,000 and 200,000 that existed before the 1800’s.
The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) [6] is a species of sheep native to North America. [7] It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns may weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb); [8] the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb). [9] Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae.
The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) is subspecies of bighorn sheep unique to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. [3] A 2016 genetics study confirmed significant divergence between the three subspecies of North America's bighorn sheep: Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and desert bighorn sheep. [4]
In November 2013, 31 adult bighorn sheep were reintroduced to the area. In early February 2014, 2 lambs were spotted by an Arizona Game and Fish Department official. These two are the first Catalina-born desert bighorn sheep in nearly 25 years. [1] Plant life at lower elevations includes saguaro cactus and other desert plants.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working to restore populations of the native desert bighorn sheep and will release some in Franklin Mountains this fall.
Only 39% of the 115 bighorn sheep translocations are persisting in 6 Rocky Mountain states. Populations of 100 or more sheep now occur in 10 national park units, populations of 100-200 sheep in 5 units, and populations of more than 500 sheep in 5 units. Populations of fewer than 100 animals exist in 5 other park units. [1]
Jun. 21—A bacterial infection that has killed more than 100 bighorn sheep in Baker County's biggest herd over the past year and a half, including the entire 2020 crop of lambs, might be waning.