Resilience in the Rocks: A New Era for Desert Bighorn Sheep in Texas

The new film Resilience in the Rocks, produced by the Texas Bighorn Society, captures one of the most ambitious and vital conservation projects in Texas history. Featuring Dr. Sam Cunningham, President of the Texas Bighorn Society and Board Member of the Wild Sheep Foundation, and Froylan Hernandez, Desert Bighorn Program Leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife, the film highlights a critical moment in desert bighorn sheep restoration: the historic translocation of sheep from Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area to Franklin Mountains State Park.

For decades, the Texas Bighorn Society and its partners have worked tirelessly to bring desert bighorn sheep back from the brink of extinction. Once widespread across 16 or 17 mountain ranges in Texas, bighorn populations were decimated by settlement, railroad construction, livestock competition, disease, and unregulated hunting by the early 20th century. By 1960, bighorns were extirpated from Texas. Through the dedicated efforts of conservationists like Dr. Red Duke and the Texas Bighorn Society, the species began its slow but determined comeback.

A Landmark Translocation

Today, the success of this recovery rests heavily on the shoulders of a small number of "source herds," none more important than the one at Elephant Mountain. However, looming threats like the spread of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOV), a respiratory disease carried by invasive aoudad, threaten to undo decades of progress. Recognizing the urgency, conservationists made the bold decision to establish a second, disease-free herd in the Franklin Mountains — an isolated, natural fortress uniquely suited to protect bighorns from disease and competition.

Supported by the Department of Natural Resource Management at Texas Tech University, Tango82 Aviation, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Wild Sheep Foundation, this translocation marks a critical pivot point for bighorn conservation in Texas. The Wild Sheep Foundation provided a pivotal grant to fund the operation, leveraging a 3:1 federal match through the Pittman-Robertson Act to maximize resources.

Why the Franklin Mountains?

Originally a lower priority for restoration due to their isolation, the Franklin Mountains rose to the top of the list when viewed through the lens of disease prevention. Surrounded by urban development, the Franklins offer a natural barrier against aoudad intrusion. GIS habitat mapping revealed excellent vegetation, water sources, and terrain for bighorn survival. Public meetings and environmental assessments confirmed broad community support and ecological viability.

The Challenges and the Hope

Translocating wild sheep is no easy task. Ensuring the animals' safety and health was paramount. Teams worked tirelessly to capture, assess, test, and transport the bighorns, monitoring them closely for any signs of stress or disease. The results of disease testing were anxiously awaited, and the stakes could not have been higher: a single positive result could have halted the project.

Fortunately, the tests came back clean. Fifty-five desert bighorn sheep made the historic journey to Franklin Mountains State Park, marking the first time in nearly a century that wild sheep would roam those peaks.

Over 80% of the ewes were pregnant, offering hope that a thriving, self-sustaining population will soon grow. Still, the work is far from over. The next few weeks and months are critical as biologists monitor the herd for any signs of mortality or distress. Success here could safeguard the future of Texas' desert bighorn sheep.

Conservation: A Community Effort

This project underscores a broader truth: conservation succeeds when communities come together. The Texas Bighorn Society, Wild Sheep Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Dallas Safari Club, and countless volunteers contributed time, money, and sweat to make this dream a reality. Annual work projects, like building high-elevation water guzzlers to supplement natural springs, demonstrate the ongoing commitment of this passionate community.

Hunters, in particular, have played a crucial role. Through excise taxes on hunting equipment (Pittman-Robertson funding) and donations to groups like the Wild Sheep Foundation, hunters have funded the majority of wildlife conservation efforts in North America. Their contribution ensures that species like the desert bighorn sheep not only survive but thrive.

The Future of Desert Bighorn Sheep in Texas

The success of the Franklin Mountains herd will shape the future of bighorn restoration in Texas. It offers a chance to establish a second, clean population — a vital insurance policy against the spread of disease. With continued effort, conservationists hope to eventually restore bighorns to the Sierra Diablo, Beach, and Baylor mountain ranges, rebuilding a once vibrant meta-population.

Resilience in the Rocks is more than a film. It's a testament to perseverance, partnership, and the undying spirit of wild places. It is a reminder that with enough passion, collaboration, and hard work, we can overcome even the steepest challenges nature throws our way.

Learn more about the Texas Bighorn Society and how you can support their mission at texasbighornsociety.org.

Learn more about the Wild Sheep Foundation and their efforts at wildsheepfoundation.org.

Follow Aptitude Outdoors for more in-depth coverage on conservation, wildlife management, and outdoor adventure.