Projects and Issues

Bighorn Sheep Hit by Fatal Pneumonia

 State wildlife officials have recently confirmed three pneumonia outbreaks in bighorn sheep herds near Missoula. Disease in animals in the Bonner area just east of Missoula, the herd above West Reverside, and the Rock Creek area about 30 miles east of Missoula are sure to have an impact on the region’s bighorn populations. Bighorn Resting

 Nearly always fatal, there is no vaccine or effective treatment for the respiratory disease in wild sheep. It is typical that between 70 to 90 percent of infected animals die within a few days to two weeks.

 FWP has killed 79 sheep around Woody Mountain, and will be taking approximately 95 more between West Riverside and Bonner.  Game wardens hope to collect 10 to 20 animals in the Rock Creek area to see if there are any environmental circumstances, any connection with the outbreaks in the other areas.

 

 

 
Montana Wildlife Federation   •   5530 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59601   •   Mailing address: PO Box 1175, Helena, MT 59624
Phone: 406-458-0227   •   Fax: 406-458-0373   •   Toll Free: 1-800-517-7256   •   Email: mwf@mtwf.org
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