BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officials plan to lethally remove a group of California bighorn sheep in the Reynolds Creek portion of Unit 40 this winter in response to a pneumonia outbreak.
According to a recent news release, the bacterium causing the outbreak, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M.ovi), often has population-level effects on bighorns. About half of infected animals die during the initial outbreak, with longer-term effects on lamb survival. Once present, it also tends to spread widely.
Some sheep that survive the initial pneumonia outbreak remain carriers and spread it to other sheep that were not previously exposed, like newborn lambs.
IDFG says sheep will be shot from a helicopter, which offers the greatest likelihood of removing the entire infected herd in the shortest time. Any sheep that can feasibly be salvaged will be processed by a local meat processor, and IDFG will work with local organizations to distribute the meat to Idahoans in need.
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