Bighorn Reintroductions On Hold After Deaths

A possible pneumonia outbreak in bighorn sheep in the Skalkaho area in western Montana is delaying a plan by wildlife biologists to bolster the herd with additional sheep.

Craig Jourdonnais of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says that six bighorns in the Skalkaho herd have been discovered dead.

He says biologists haven't confirmed the sheep died due to pneumonia, but there have been numerous reports by people who have observed bighorns coughing or showing other signs of illness.

He says it wouldn't be prudent to bring transplanted sheep into the area now.

State officials had been considering moving sheep as early as this winter into the area.

The transplanted sheep would likely have come from the Upper Madison or Wild Horse Island.

Associated Press