Another 2010-was-a-deadly-year-for-bighorn story-
The culprit is almost entirely pneumonia, and almost all of it, maybe all of it, comes from domestic sheep and goats. The Western Watersheds Project, and closely related groups like Advocates for the West, are just about the only organizations that are willing to step forward, tell the truth, and go after the offending herds of livestock. I hope folks will consider and give WWP and Advocates a donation if the appalling death tool of bighorn sheep in the West bothers you. Ralph Maughan
Western Washington’s bighorns slammed by disease. Outdoors Blog. The Spokesman Review.
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Related Dec. 31. Bighorn sheep killed on Montana highway one. AP (in Great Falls Tribune). I remember posting an almost identical story for the same place a couple years ago. Some money needs to be spent at this location. “a state wildlife biologist says between four to 15 of the animals are killed every year [at this location]*
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
I wish the study, done by Washington State University that proved Bighorns catch pneumonia from domestic sheep, had left the Domestic sheep and Bighorns separated by the fence instead of letting them co-mingle.
If it can be proved that just touching noses with domestic sheep through a fence is enough to cause the Bighorns to die, then we could start asking that all domestic sheep operations, in areas occupied by Bighorns, be required to double fence all domestic sheep pastures. This should include small farm flocks as well as large domestic sheep operations.
I would like to see this study done again without commingling and expanded to include exposure to llamas and goats.
I think it would be also be useful to see if Bighorns can catch the disease by being exposed to areas where domestic sheep have been pastured and bedded down. I think they catch pneumonia from domestic sheep much easier than has been demonstrated.
Until there is complete separation between domestic sheep and Bighorns this tragic story will continue.