Desert Bighorn Sheep
Vamstad M, Berger C, Carlsen W. 2023. Desert Bighorn Sheep. National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
This brief summarizes the monitoring program for the desert bighorn sheep, a flagship species in Joshua Tree National Park. The park is an important corridor for sheep migration and a resource for genetic diversity. However, diminished surface water, disease, and other factors pose challenges to the health of the sheep population in the park. This brief describes some of those challenges, as well as steps being taken to study and conserve the animals.
- Type
- Resource Brief
- Authors
- Vamstad, Michael; Berger, Cynthia; Carlsen, William
- Date of Issue
- 2023-03-18
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
- Units
- JOTR
- Keywords
- bighorn sheep, climate change, Mojave desert, monitoring, radiotelemetry, wildlife
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Infestations and Disease | Animal Diseases , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals , NPS.gov Subject Site: At-Risk Species , NPS.gov Subject Site: Mammals , NPS.gov Subject Site: Park Science