Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Released in Rio Grande Gorge – The First Release on BLM Lands in New Mexico!

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, working with the Bureau of Land Management and the Taos Pueblo, have augmented a population of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge north of the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

Twenty-five sheep trapped in the Pecos Wilderness were released on public land, joining 23 sheep released on Tribal land across the Rio Grande in August 2006. The sheep released last year are adapting quite well to their new environment, according to Pam Herrera-Olivas, a wildlife biologist for the BLM’s Taos Field Office. “In fact the new herd produced 12 lambs this spring, and they’re in excellent health.” 

Since last year’s release, sheep have routinely crossed the Rio Grande and are now occupying BLM land as well.  The release of the additional 25 sheep will augment the current population giving the sheep a better chance of survival.  “Interbreeding between the two groups will enhance genetic diversity within the herd and enhance its persistence,” said New Mexico Game and Fish biologist Elise Goldstein. 

In addition, removal of sheep from current populations within the Pecos Wilderness will reduce population density to help promote herd health and improve habitat in the area, Goldstein added.

“We’re thrilled to be a partner in this effort,” said Linda Rundell, State Director for the BLM in Santa Fe.  “As part of our agency’s Restore New Mexico program, we’re working with landowners, conservation groups and other agencies to restore degraded landscapes and habitats throughout New Mexico.  The final step – reintroducing native wildlife to areas where they've declined or disappeared – is icing on the cake.”

The release site was about 12 miles south of the city of Taos.  The site is north of the BLM’s Orilla Verde Recreation Area west of Taos Junction Bridge within the Wild and Scenic Corridor on BLM-administered public land.

As part of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s sheep relocation effort this week, 29 other sheep were relocated to the Dry Cimarron River in northeastern New Mexico.

Funding for the transplanting operations came from the New Mexico Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Federal Aid program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the BLM’s Taos Field Office.