Taylor Daily
Sul Ross State University
Research Assistant/Masters of Science/Natural Resource Management
Comparing Survival and Movements between Release Methods of Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, Texas
Historically, desert bighorn sheep were once a prevalent species throughout the Trans-Pecos ecological region of Texas, but unfortunately had become extirpated by the 1960s due to unregulated hunting and disease transmission from livestock. Restoration efforts from surrounding states were quickly implemented, in hopes of re-establishing a bighorn population throughout the Trans-Pecos. Since that time, Black Gap Wildlife Management Area has developed a small subpopulation that has endured disease, stress, and predation; in order to ensure sustainability we must continue our restoration efforts. The objective of this study is to restore and strengthen desert bighorn sheep at Black Gap WMA, by means of translocation. Bighorn were captured, equipped with a GPS satellite collar, and transported from Elephant Mountain WMA to Black Gap WMA. Movements, survival, and habitat utilization will be observed and compared between bighorn that are resident, hard-released, and soft-released. Information from this study will assist Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists with future management decisions regarding desert bighorn sheep in the Trans-Pecos ecological region of Texas.
