Wildlife and Other Sightings: Bighorn Sheep

July 27, 2012 Posted by: LM - Mather District Interpretive Ranger

Bighorn Sheep         

Ovis Canadensis
Early July

A survey to inventory the remaining populations of Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis) in the Sierra Nevada sighted a herd just outside Park boundaries to the Northeast. A total of 31 individuals were seen, including 7 rams and a mixed group of 24 adults and lambs. Although this group spends most of its time on Forest Service land, their territory includes the northeast edge of Yosemite. As Yosemite's only federally endangered animal, the bighorn sheep is being closely monitored through a partnership between the Park and the California Department of Fish and Game. Read more: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/sheep.htm.