Membership Meeting Reminder
Bighorn Institute’s annual membership meeting
will be held at the Institute on Saturday, February 4th at 8:30am. We
will discuss our accomplishments in 2011, plans for 2012, and elect
the Board of Directors. The meeting is open to all members. If you
would like to attend, please give us a call at (760) 346-7334 to RSVP.
We hope you can join us!
Early Lambing Season Again
On January 10th, we documented the first lambs born
this year in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains. One lamb belonged to
an unmarked ewe and the other lamb to a radio-collared ewe. Since
then, one more lamb has been born in this range in late January
around Ramon Peak. Many of the ewes in the wild are showing signs of
pregnancy and will soon isolate and give birth. Ewes that are ready
to give birth will seek solitude even from other sheep, as it’s
a very sensitive time of year for them. Lambing season extends from
January to June for Peninsular bighorn sheep with most lambs born
between February and April. We are optimistic for a more successful
lambing season this year.
The first two lambs in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains
nursing.
Bighorn Presentation at the Citrus Club
In early January, our biologists gave a presentation
to the Women’s Club at the Citrus Club in La Quinta. Part of the
Institute’s mission is education, which is essential in helping
a species in need. The more people know the more they are able to
help. The Institute is giving another presentation in early February.
A radio-collared ewe in the northern Santa Rosa
Mountains.
Lambing Season Trail Closures
As noted above, during lambing season ewes isolate to
give birth and care for their young lambs. During this time both ewes
and lambs are very vulnerable to human disturbance and as such, the
wildlife agencies have closed Magnesia and Carrizo Canyons to protect
the species. There are still many beautiful desert hikes open
year-round to enjoy that will not disturb bighorn sheep during this
sensitive period. We hope all hikers respect the small inconvenience
of these closures to help recover this endangered species.