Biologists Postpone Bighorn Transplants

State biologists have delayed a program to introduce more bighorn sheep to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area because of a deadly pneumonia outbreak.

The decision comes after researchers found the bacteria responsible may not have come from domestic sheep, as first suspected.

Now 53 of the 72 bighorns rushed in early December to an Idaho Fish and Game Department laboratory in Caldwell are dead. The death rate was highest last week - 19 sheep in three days.

“Before we bring in 60 to 100 more animals, we’ve got to be sure we’re not bringing them into an environment that’s going to kill them,” said Dave Hunter, wildlife veterinarian for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The Idaho, Washington and Oregon wildlife agencies will reconsider next month bringing in more sheep. Biologists want to be sure the Hells Canyon bighorn are healthy enough to allow contact with transplanted animals.

Repeated studies have shown that when bighorn and domestic sheep come in close contact, the bighorn are quickly infected by a strain of bacteria called Pasteurella Hemolytica. Related bacteria, one not normally carried by domestic sheep, have been implicated in the Hells Canyon outbreak.

The outbreak threatens to jeopardize the sheep-introduction program, sheep industry representatives say, because it has led environmentalists to file for an injunction against any grazing of domestic sheep in Hells Canyon.

Stan Boyd, Idaho Wool Growers Association executive director, said the lawsuit could lead sheep ranchers to resume opposition to efforts to reintroduce bighorns to Idaho and other Western states.

“If wildlife folks bring bighorn in, and then turn around and use them to try and block domestic sheep, we’ll react,” Boyd said. “We haven’t appealed any bighorn sheep introductions in the last six years. They’re starting a fight, and we may be forced to take our own action.”

xxxx