Journal of Undergraduate Research
Overcoming Anthropogenic Impediments of Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Populations in North-central Utah
Keywords
Bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, Utah, lungworm
College
Life Sciences
Department
Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Abstract
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were historically abundant in many places in Utah, however, when the area was settled, humans brought with them many causes for bighorn extermination. Unregulated hunting, competition for resources by livestock, reduced water availability, reduce range quantity, home range encroachment, and the lungworm/pneumonia complex are all major reasons as to why the bighorns are threatened in the western states (Enk 2001, Karpowitz and Stewart 2000, Smith et al. 1988, Smith and Flinders 1992). The first two problems were handled at the socio-political level, by managing people rather than wildlife. However water scarcity persists, urban sprawl continues to diminish winter range, and lungworm (Protostrongylus spp.) outbreaks continue to vex wildlife managers and researchers.
Recommended Citation
Chase, Loren
(2013)
"Overcoming Anthropogenic Impediments of Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Populations in North-central Utah,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1539.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1539