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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Brigham Young University, and the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University. We thank J. Karpowitz, C. Clyde, G. Ogborn, S. Bagley, D. Southerland, A. Aoude, L. McFarlane, D. Liechty, and S. Flinders of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for their help. We thank L. Chase, J. Oyster, and K. Sproat for their help with fieldwork. We thank several anonymous reviewers for improving this manuscript. We also thank G. B. Whiting and L. M. Condie.

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Author notes

  1. Justin M. Shannon

    Present address: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 2110, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, USA

  2. Jericho C. Whiting

    Present address: Gonzales-Stoller Surveillance, 120 Technology Drive, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401, USA

  3. Daniel D. Olson

    Present address: Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 375 BNR, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, 407 WIDB, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Justin M. Shannon, Jericho C. Whiting, Randy T. Larsen, Daniel D. Olson, Jerran T. Flinders & Tom S. Smith

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 South 8th Avenue, Stop 8007, Pocatello, ID, 83209-8007, USA

    R. Terry Bowyer

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  1. Justin M. Shannon
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Correspondence to Jericho C. Whiting.

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Communicated by H. Kierdorf

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Shannon, J.M., Whiting, J.C., Larsen, R.T. et al. Population response of reintroduced bighorn sheep after observed commingling with domestic sheep. Eur J Wildl Res 60, 737–748 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0843-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0843-y

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