BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Some sheep that survive the initial pneumonia outbreak remain carriers and spread it to other sheep that were not previously exposed, like newborn lambs.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n