Great Plains                                    
    Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

Jonathon Jenks
Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries Science
South Dakota State University

Abstract:  Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were extirpated from most of their historical range in the western United States by the turn of the century.  Since 1967, three bighorn subpopulations have been established at Badlands NP through cooperative efforts by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the National Park Service.  Different growth patterns have been observed in the Badlands NP during the last 35 years including high rates of growth and increased population sizes followed by reduced growth rates and epizootic outbreaks.  Present population levels at Badlands NP are stable in the Cedar Pass and Stronghold populations; however, the Pinnacles subpopulation has only 4 breeding age ewes and is in imminent danger of extirpation.  Consequently, Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep ewes will be translocated from New Mexico (approximately 20 animals) to Badlands NP in September 2004 and from South Dakota (approx. 10 animals) in January 2005.  All sheep will be radio collared and monitored for habitat use, migratory movement, survival, reproduction, and recruitment after release.  A sub sample of sheep will also be captured and fitted with refurbished GPS collars made available from Wind Cave NP in November 2005 to increase the sample size of the study populations.  Scientifically credible data and analysis will be generated as a reslt of this research that will guide the management of Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep in Badlands National Park.

Funding Agency:
National Park Service
Task Agreement # J1300040087 ($23,865)
Mod/0001 $18,000
Mod/0002 $25,000
Total $66,865

Effective Dates: September 1, 2004 through September 30, 2007