BIGHORN INSTITUTE
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Captive Breeding and Wild Population Augmentation
Since 1984, the Institute has operated a captive breeding program and released 127 sheep into the wild since 1985. It has kept 2 local herds from disappearing and has helped these groups reach recovery levels.
Santa Rosa Mountains Bighorn Ecology
One of our primary study areas is the northern portion of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Rancho Mirage, where the Institute has been monitoring Peninsular bighorn since our inception in 1982. Radio-collared bighorn in this range are regularly observed to document their home range, habitat use, diet, reproductive success, survival rates and general ecology. In the early 1980's this subpopulation was estimated to number approximately 65 adult bighorn, and hit a low of 24, but today recovery is underway as there are currently around 80 adult bighorn in this range.
San Jacinto Mountains Bighorn Ecology
Bighorn Institute began monitoring the San Jacinto Mountains Peninsular bighorn herd through annual helicopter surveys in 1983. We documented a drastic population decline from an estimated 80 adult bighorn in 1982, down to only 19 adult bighorn in 1996. In 1992, in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service, we began a multi-year field study of radio-collared bighorn in this range. We are evaluating the habitat use, reproduction, survival, mortality and general ecology of these animals. There are now approximately 50 adult bighorn in this range, with 25 adult ewes. This herd got down to just 4 ewes in 2002, but with the Institute's augmentation efforts, the number of ewes has increased significantly and recovery is now underway.
Bighorn Surveys
Since 1983, Bighorn Institute has conducted annual helicopter surveys of Peninsular bighorn sheep in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. These surveys allow us to estimate the population's size, trend, age and sex structure, distribution, and long-term dynamics. Bighorn Institute now assists the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in conducting helicopter surveys every other year.
Bighorn Disease Research
Bighorn Institute regularly conducts disease screening testing of captive and free-ranging bighorn sheep to monitor bighorn health and disease exposure levels. Although disease is currently not a widely operating limiting factor for Peninsular bighorn sheep, regular monitoring can aid early detection and correction of disease concerns.
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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BIGHORN INSTITUTE
Board of directorsas of 09/08/2016