Population response of reintroduced bighorn sheep after observed commingling with domestic sheep

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research 2014-10, Vol.60 (5), p.737-748
• Main Authors: Shannon, Justin M, Whiting, Jericho C, Larsen, Randy T, Olson, Daniel D, Flinders, Jerran T, Smith, Tom S, Bowyer, R. Terry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal diseases; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Canyons; Domestic animals; Ecology; farms; females; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Ovis canadensis; Population growth; Respiratory diseases; Rocks; Sheep; Survival; survival rate; Wildlife; Wildlife management; winter; Zoology
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-014-0843-y

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) often die from respiratory disease after commingling with domestic sheep. From 2000 to 2009, we observed commingling between domestic and reintroduced bighorn sheep in 3 populations in UT, USA. We investigated how commingling affected survival of radio-collared female bighorns that were released initially (founder) and those that were subsequently released (augmented). We predicted that the proportion of young surviving to their first winter and population growth would be lower after observed commingling with domestic sheep. We observed groups of bighorns year-round on 2,712 occasions and commingling between domestic sheep and bighorns in 6 instances. On Mount Timpanogos, survival rates were best modeled as constant for females (n = 57) before and after observed commingling with domestic sheep. Survival rates of female bighorns, however, decreased significantly in Rock Canyon (n = 21) and on Mount Nebo (n = 22) for founder, but not augmented bighorns after observed commingling with domestic sheep. Also, the proportion of young surviving to their first winter was almost 3 times lower and population growth was reduced for bighorns after observed commingling with domestic sheep in Rock Canyon and on Mount Nebo. Commingling between domestic and bighorn sheep reduced population parameters in 2 of 3 bighorn populations we studied; however, on Mount Timpanogos, interactions between those 2 species were not fatal for radio-collared female bighorns. Wildlife biologists should manage for spatial separation of these 2 species and consider the location of hobby farms and trailing operations of domestic sheep near release sites for bighorns.