EFFECTS OF CAPTURE ON BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN FREE-RANGING BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS): EVALUATION OF DROP-NET, DRIVE-NET, CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION AND THE NET-GUN

The telemetered heart rates (HR) of unrestrained female bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) were recorded under various behavioral and environmental circumstances. In all ewes HR varied positively with activity level and inversely with distance to a road traversing the study area. The HR recorded from animals moving at night or through timber by day were higher than during daytime movement across open slopes.Responses to transient stimuli varied greatly. The appearance of free-ranging canids evoked maximal increases in HR in all ewes. Vehicular traffic and aircraft elicited HR responses only at close range (< 200 m). Most (78.1%) HR responses to disturbing stimuli preceded or occurred in the absence of overt behavioral reactions. The HR usually peaked within 60 s of the onset of the response and recovered to predisturbance base line in less than 200 s. The appearance and continued presence (1–10 min) of a human within 50 m of the sheep resulted in a 20% rise in mean HR. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the behavior, ecology, and bioenergetics of bighorn sheep.

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COMPARISON OF MODIFIED FLOTAC AND BAERMANN TECHNIQUES FOR QUANTIFYING LUNGWORM LARVAE IN FREE-RANGING BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS) FECES, MONTANA, USA

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/2014-10-244 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 843-848

Author(s):

Paul W. Snyder ◽

John T. Hogg ◽

Vanessa O. Ezenwa

Keyword(s):

Bighorn Sheep ◽

Ovis Canadensis ◽

Free Ranging

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Seasonal variation of red blood cell survival in desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis cremnobates)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z84-178 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 62 (7) ◽

pp. 1227-1231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jack C. Turner

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

Life Span ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Bighorn Sheep ◽

Ovis Canadensis ◽

Desert Bighorn Sheep ◽

The Mean ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Free Ranging

The life-span of red blood cells (RBCs) in captive and free-ranging desert bighorn sheep was measured with [32P]diisopropylfluorophosphate. The mean winter RBC life-span (156.6 days) was not significantly affected by season for captive animals maintained on a high nutritional plane and water, ad libitum. Free-ranging bighorn demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) difference between mean winter (155.9 days) and summer (203.9 days) RBC survival. Dehydration of captive bighorn significantly increased RBC survival, closely approximating that found in summer free-ranging animals. Desert bighorn RBCs exhibited an aseasonal facultative response to the availability of water. RBC life-span was significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 153.5 to 197.7 days in animals experiencing extreme dehydration. The large spleen, relative to body weight, may accommodate extensive fluctuations in total RBC volume measured during dehydration and rehydration, preventing premature RBC degradation and an increased water requirement.

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