300 plus domestic sheep escaped grazing areas in Yuma County Arizona. They were later seen in the company of bighorn sheep. The co-mingling between domestic sheep and bighorns is often detrimental. The wild bighorn sheep are susceptible to pneumonia carried by their domestic counterparts. To protect the overall health of the bighorns, AZGFD had to euthanize some of the bighorns seen in proximity to the domestic animals. The AZGFD sees it best to sacrifice of a few for the greater health of the population. It is a fine line that must be walked on occasion.
Wildlife agencies often ask themselves what can be done to limit these occurrences. The cost is often all too high form the wild sheep involved and surely there is more that can be done.
