Protecting North America’s Wild Sheep: The Battle Against Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and the Role of Conservation Hunters
The plight of wild sheep in North America is one of the most pressing wildlife conservation challenges today. While they once roamed the continent in vast numbers—estimated at two million during the time of European settlement—today’s wild sheep population has plummeted to around 880,000. This drastic decline results from habitat loss, disease, and human encroachment, with one of the deadliest threats being Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, a contagious respiratory pathogen transmitted from domestic sheep. For insight into the challenges and conservation efforts surrounding wild sheep, Amanda Verheul, Executive Director of the National Bighorn Sheep Center, shares her expertise and perspective.
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (commonly referred to as “M. ovi”) is a highly infectious disease that attacks the respiratory systems of bighorn sheep, often leading to devastating die-offs within herds. A single outbreak can reduce wild sheep populations by up to 75%, crippling population numbers and severely impacting their recovery. “When we were first established,” Verheul recounts, “we had the largest herd of Rocky Mountain bighorns in North America, with over 2,000 sheep in a single herd. Unfortunately, due to Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, we lost 90% of that herd.” However, she notes a glimmer of hope as lamb recruitment has seen recent improvement, signaling that efforts to reverse this decline may be gaining traction.
The survival of wild sheep hinges not only on disease management but also on protecting the expansive, undisturbed landscapes they need to thrive. Over the last century, these habitats have shrunk considerably due to human activity, placing bighorns in closer proximity to domestic livestock and increasing the risk of disease transmission. This dual threat of habitat loss and disease is why organizations like the National Bighorn Sheep Center and the Wild Sheep Foundation play such a crucial role. Through educational outreach, habitat restoration, and financial support for scientific research, these organizations provide vital resources to ensure the future of North America’s wild sheep.
Yet, there remains a prevalent misconception that hunting contributes to the decline of wild sheep. In reality, hunting funds a significant portion of wildlife conservation in North America. Verheul addresses this misunderstanding regularly at the National Bighorn Sheep Center: “Many visitors are opposed to hunting, but we use this as an opportunity to explain its conservation role. Hunters are, in fact, outdoor conservationists who play a crucial role in supporting wild sheep populations.” As part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, hunters contribute conservation dollars through state hunting licenses and the federal Pittman-Robertson Act, which directly fund wildlife preservation and habitat restoration.
Each year, the National Bighorn Sheep Center obtains a limited number of Commissioner’s Tags, unique hunting permits whose sales fund conservation projects. The funds generated through these special tags, along with other hunting-related revenue, support everything from habitat restoration and disease management to educational outreach. Critics who view these tags as promoting elitism often overlook their conservation impact. In Arizona, for example, the recent ban on auction tags removed $7.1 million in potential funding, which would have directly benefited wild sheep conservation efforts. Verheul underscores that without such funding mechanisms, many essential conservation programs would face severe underfunding, ultimately endangering the very animals these critics aim to protect.
The National Bighorn Sheep Center itself is a testament to community-driven conservation. Established in 1987 by hundreds of local citizens, it stands today as a non-profit organization in a state-owned building, demonstrating the power of collective action. “Our center is a collaborative effort,” Verheul explains. “It truly took a village to make it a reality, with hundreds of people coming together with an idea and a shared dedication to wild sheep conservation.”
For those who wish to support wild sheep conservation, the National Bighorn Sheep Center and Wild Sheep Foundation welcome donations and engagement through educational programs. The National Bighorn Sheep Center hosts webinars throughout the winter, focusing on adult education and conservation strategies accessible to a global audience.
Conserving North America’s wild sheep requires a multi-faceted approach: disease management, habitat restoration, public education, and the continued support of conservation-minded hunters. Without dedicated organizations and engaged communities, the fragile populations of wild sheep face an uncertain future.
