Influence of livestock grazing on activity budgets and foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep

Duration

January 2012 - August 2014

Narrative

Recent population growth has prompted the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to petition for the removal of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) from the state’s threatened and endangered species list. If removed, desert bighorn sheep will be reclassified as a game species in New Mexico. To more effectively manage desert bighorn sheep as a game species, the NMDGF has identified the need to assess the potential impacts of cattle grazing on forage resources and the subsequent influence on foraging ecology of desert bighorn sheep in New Mexico.

PROJECT GOALS
1)Compare seasonal biomass of preferred forage species for desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing.

2)Estimate seasonal activity budgets of desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing.

3)Compare foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing.

4)Continue ongoing monitoring efforts that are currently being conducted by independent contractors to document and determine causes of mortalities of adult bighorn sheep fitted with radio collars in the Caballo and San Andres Mountains.