Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

yortsed snacilbuper

(7,939 posts)
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 02:36 PM Jan 2020

Wildlife officials released a group of bighorn sheep to land they haven't touched in 100 years


Nevada wildlife officials and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe released 21 bighorn sheep in the hills of Pyramid Lake, where they haven't lived since the start of the 20th century. Judging by their euphoric gallops, the sheep like their new habitat just fine.

The crowd gathered for the bighorn sheep sendoff in Nevada far outnumbered the 21 animals who galloped out of their pens and into their new habitat. But the small number of sheep could be instrumental in securing the species' future.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe teamed up to release the desert bighorn sheep into the hills of Pyramid Lake, near the west Nevada-California border, last week. The animals haven't lived in that part of Nevada in 100 years, wildlife experts said.

Desert bighorn sheep, Nevada's state animal, once populated the state in the tens of thousands. But with Western settlement, their populations shrunk with excessive hunting and human encroachment.

They were virtually eradicated from Pyramid Lake in the top of the 20th century.

link
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Wildlife officials released a group of bighorn sheep to land they haven't touched in 100 years (Original Post) yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2020 OP
This is great. Reintroductions everywhere possible. maxsolomon Jan 2020 #1
Neat animals. Drahthaardogs Jan 2020 #3
This is truly good news lunatica Jan 2020 #2
What about the little horn sheep? jberryhill Jan 2020 #4
I don't know? yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2020 #5
Better make sure that donald rump jr. doesn't go out there...nt SWBTATTReg Jan 2020 #6
There's always that. yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2020 #7
I'd pay money to see that herd dance on his face. nt miyazaki Jan 2020 #8

maxsolomon

(32,975 posts)
1. This is great. Reintroductions everywhere possible.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 02:40 PM
Jan 2020

Olympic NP reintroduced the Fisher (a big weasel) year ago.

I've only seen bighorns deep in the canyons on the San Juan river. Unforgettable.

Drahthaardogs

(6,843 posts)
3. Neat animals.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 02:43 PM
Jan 2020

I had a ram literally right next to me near Salida while fishing the Arkansas. I don't think he realized I was a human since I was wading in the river.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Wildlife officials releas...