by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Learn MoreBighorn Sheep |
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covered parks
Canyonlands
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Canyonlands National Park
Bighorn Sheep
Desert bighorn sheep roam some of the most inhospitable land in canyon country. Their
diet consists of the same spiny shrubs that scrape the shins of hikers. Once feared to be
nearing extinction, the desert bighorn is making a tentative comeback in southeast Utah
due to reintroduction efforts by the National Park Service. With one of the few remaining native herds, Canyonlands has been a vital source of animals for this program.
A Story of Survival
Accounts from early explorers tell us that more
than two million desert bighorn once roamed the
southwest. By the late 1800s however, bighorn sheep
had disappeared or declined in many areas. Bighorn
sheep are extremely vulnerable to diseases from
livestock. Domestic sheep introduced pathogens like
scabies (an ear mite) and anthrax (a bacterial disease), and herd after herd of wild sheep were decimated. Early explorers, settlers, and trophy hunters
also killed bighorns. Increased competition with
domesticated cattle and sheep for food didn’t help
the situation. In 1975, Utah’s population numbered
around 1,000 sheep.
When Canyonlands was established in 1964, there
were approximately 100 bighorn sheep remaining
in the park. To protect these animals, in the 1970s
the park phased out grazing allotments within park
boundaries. The Bureau of Land Management,
whose lands border the park, limited grazing leases
to cattle only, which lessened the risk of exposure
to disease from domestic sheep – probably the most
important step in preserving bighorn populations.
In the early 1980s, biologists began relocating sheep
from the growing population in Canyonlands in
order to establish new herds. Since sheep are poor
dispersers, this is the only way to return them to
their historic ranges. To accomplish this, park staff
captured sheep in nets fired from helicopters, then
staff assess the sheep's health and age and transport
suitable animals to a relocation area.
Since the program began, sheep have been reestablished in Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area. Sheep relocated to the San Rafael Swell west of
Canyonlands have created two herds totaling more
than 600 animals. Today, the bighorn population in
Utah is estimated at 3,000 animals. There are roughly 350 sheep in Canyonlands, with separate herds in
each of the districts.
Though restoration efforts appear to be working,
increased human activity and development continue to threaten the desert bighorn sheep. For the
remaining herds to survive, intensive management
and conservation measures may be necessary. The
protection of undeveloped land and wilderness
areas is key to the species’ survival. Canyonlands will
continue to play a large role in this effort.
If you see a bighorn sheep, please complete the
form on the other side of this page.
Bighorn Sheep
Observation Form
By recording your observations on this form, you’ll be helping scientists study the effects of human–bighorn
interactions on range utilization and travel routes.
Your Name: _________________________ Phone:____________________ Park or Area:______________________
Date:____________ Time:______________ Your location (be specific): ___________________________________
Location of Bighorn: ______________________________________________________________________________
Details of terrian on which bighorn were sighted:
Rocky slope (lower, middle or upper?)
Cliff base
River edge
Approximate distance to the animal(s):_____________________________
Number of sheep (please estimate age using diagram at the bottom of the page):
Number of Ewes:_________ Ages: __________
Number of Rams: _______ Ages: __________
Unknown Sex: __________ Of these, ______ were lambs
Total number in this observation:___________
Were you (and your group):
In a vehicle
Walking
In camp
Other
On a motorcycle
On a mountain bike
In a boat
What was the reaction of the bighorn to your presence?
None
Continued lying down
Walked away
Continued feeding
Ran away
Watched you
Noted your presence then resumed activity (please describe below)
Other __________________________________________________________________________________
Please note any ailments you noticed:
Coughing
Loose Hair
Nasal Discharge
Lethargic
Other___________________________________________________________________________________
Other Information: ______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Completed Forms
Please leave completed forms at a
visitor center, or mail to:
Chief
Division of Resource Management
2282 SW Resource Blvd.
Moab, UT 84532
MALE (RAM)
AGE IN YEARS
8 to 16
6 to 8
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
3.5 to 6
FEMALE (EWE)
2.5
1.5
1.5
LAMB
0.5