400 dead this winter in an “unprecedented” series of events
Populations of bighorn sheep are struggling with pneumonia throughout the west. Washington, Nevada, Montana, and most recently Utah are having outbreaks of pneumonia which have resulted in the deaths of 400 or more bighorn sheep.
Statements like the following are often made about the outbreaks.
“While domestic sheep carry pathogens that can infect bighorns, there’s no evidence linking them to any of the pneumonia outbreaks, wildlife officials said.”
But pneumonia does not just appear from nowhere, it has to come from somewhere. Were these diseases already in the herds from earlier exposures and have just become deadly due to winter conditions or have they been introduced to the wild sheep through contact with domestic sheep or goats recently?
Upon close examination of media reports and agency documents evidence can be found that domestic sheep were in areas close to some of the outbreaks. For instance there has been a program whereby domestic sheep are used in an effort to control weeds near Missoula and domestic sheep grazing is permitted by the US Forest Service in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada in occupied bighorn habitat. The media has not picked up on these items yet they repeat the claims that there is no evidence linking the two.
My observation of coughing bighorn sheep Thursday in the Salmon River Canyon west of Shoup, Idaho may turn out to be merely some chronic problem that doesn’t result in widespread deaths of bighorn sheep but it does raise questions about the management of domestic sheep and bighorn sheep. Are we being careful enough? Are we taking these threats seriously? Are the agencies looking closely at what is occurring on the ground? Can outbreaks in one area extend for miles into other areas? Did the outbreak in Montana make it to Idaho?
We know that bighorn sheep are capable of traveling long distances so what happens in Montana may affect Idaho. Likewise, we know that what occurs just a mile, or even the recommended nine miles outside of what is considered “occupied habitat” may take out entire herds of bighorn sheep. This make-it-up-as-you-go decision making by the agencies about where to allow domestic sheep and goats isn’t working and there needs to be a strictly enforced guideline to make sure that domestic sheep and goats on public lands stay et least 9 miles away from bighorn sheep and that those on private property have fencing that secures them from contact with bighorns.
If these policies aren’t put in to place then I know that there are a few groups who will petition for listing of native herds under the ESA.
Here are the recent stories about the outbreaks.
Utah officials kill 26 sick bighorn sheep
Associated Press on LocalNews8.com
Bighorn Sheep Continue to Succumb to Pneumonia
Nevada Division of Wildlife press release
Outbreak kills hundreds of bighorn sheep in West
By Martin Griffith
Associated Press Writer