In 2023, Colorado experienced a concerning decline in the herd health of its Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, with multiple herds affected by respiratory diseases leading to high lamb mortality rates. Despite efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to address these issues, the situation has not improved significantly in 2024. In particular, respiratory pathogens like pneumonia continue to pose a major challenge for bighorn sheep management, with the transmission of diseases from domestic species being a significant factor.
CPW biologists have observed ongoing sickness and mortality in several herds, with new cases emerging this year. The Georgetown, Big Thompson, and North Poudre herds have all experienced lamb pneumonia, while additional herds like Pikes Peak and Aspen Snowmass are also facing disease events. Maintaining separation between wild and domestic sheep is crucial to ensuring the health of bighorn sheep populations, as once diseases enter the herds, they can persist for years.
While the overall population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Colorado remains stable around 7,000 individuals, disease outbreaks continue to impact specific herds. CPW is closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further information from PCR tests to determine the pathogens affecting the herds. Public awareness and reporting of interactions between domestic and wild sheep can help prevent the spread of diseases and protect these iconic animals.
The CPW Commission will receive updated findings on the bighorn sheep population in January 2025, with hopes for improved herd health. Despite the challenges facing these animals, collaborative conservation efforts have helped bighorn sheep populations rebound over the past few decades, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and management strategies.
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