Pneumonia Killing Bighorns In Western Montana

State wildlife officials say a pneumonia outbreak has killed several bighorn sheep in the Skalkaho area in western Montana.

Officials say that two dead sheep recently died from severe cases of pneumonia, and that a third sheep had been dead too long to identify the cause.

Veterinarian Brent Rice of Hamilton says smoky conditions in the area from forest fires might have stressed the bighorns and made them more susceptible.

Officials say that if the outbreak spreads it would be the seventh major die-off of bighorns in western Montana since 2009.

Associated Press