Bighorn Sheep
Populations of bighorn sheep are at only about 2% to 8% of their sizes at the time of European settlement. Causes for the rapid decline from 1870 through 1950 included unregulated harvesting, excessive grazing of livestock on rangelands, and diseases transmitted by domestic sheep. In recent years, 115 translocations were made to restore bighorn sheep into the Rocky Mountains and into many national parks. 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.
Read more about this topic: List Of Animals Of The Rocky Mountains, Fauna, Mammals
Famous quotes containing the word sheep:
“You make yourselves out to be shepherds of the flock and yet you allow your sheep to live in filth and poverty. And if they try and raise their voices against it, you calm them by telling them their suffering is the will of God. Sheep, indeed. Are we sheep to be herded and sheared by a handful of owners? I was taught man was made in the image of God, not a sheep.”
—Philip Dunne (1908–1992)