Human Disturbance at Water Sources of Desert Bighorn Sheep
Leslie DM and Douglas CL. 1980. Human Disturbance at Water Sources of Desert Bighorn Sheep. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 8(4):284-290
Alterations of behavior and movement of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in the River Mountains, Nevada, were coincident with construction activities near the populations' primary watering site. The juxtaposition of construction efforts and summer water dependence of bighorn sheep caused a significant shift in use of artificial water sources. Nine of 17 marked ewes altered their watering patterns in response to construction activities. Productivity during construction did not depart from the long-term population mean; however, lamb survival may have been affected. Responses of the River Mountain herd to construction activities were dampened by a high degree of habituation to man.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Leslie, David; Douglas, Charles
- Units
- JOTR , LAKE , MOJA
- Keywords
- Abundance (Biodiversity), Animal Studies, Anthropogenic Activities, Artificial Water Sources (Guzzler), Artiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates), Behavior, Bovidae (Bovids), Clark County, Distribution (Biodiversity), Mammalia (Mammals), NV, Ovis canadensis (Bighorn Sheep), Presence (Biodiversity), Remnant Populations, River Mountains, Taxa Links To References, Waterering Patterns