CSI: Idaho (Coughing Sheep Investigation)
New clues help confirm the need to separate bighorn sheep from domestic sheep.
Germs are bad for bighorns, too.
A critical clue was recently found that sheds light on bighorn sheep die-offs in Idaho.
Bighorn sheep used to be one of the most abundant game animals in Idaho's rugged backcountry. Then populations plummeted to less than 10% of historic numbers, and reintroduced herds are struggling.
A recent study from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine—and reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association—confirmed a long-suspected threat: Bighorns can indeed die from diseases carried by domestic sheep. Several wool growers had discounted this possibility.
To lower the risk of disease transmission, the Payette National Forest decided to gradually phase out domestic sheep grazing in bighorn habitat to a third of previous levels. This decision is being appealed by some wool growers for not being based on sound science. Other parties, including the Nez Perce Tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Idaho Conservation League, are appealing this decision because the phase-out isn't fast enough to protect vulnerable bighorn herds.
As Idahoans wrestle with how to recover bighorn sheep and support ranching interests, this latest study only confirms that protecting the status quo won't work.
