New Mexico Project
Effects of recreational disturbance on desert bighorn sheep in western Colorado
August 2020 - June 2025
Personnel
Participating Agencies
- Wild Sheep Foundation
- Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society
- T & E, Inc.,
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Responses by large herbivores to human disturbance can result in a change in their habitat use, movements, and increased vigilance and decreased foraging time. Increased movements and reduced foraging time result in higher energetic costs and lower energetic gains, potentially decreasing fitness. The goal of this project is to determine potential impacts of increasing recreational activities on desert bighorn sheep in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Colorado and develop management recommendations as appropriate to mitigate negative effects of recreation on desert bighorn sheep herds.
Presentations | Presentation Date |
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Evans, A.D., B. Banulis, N. Perry, C.R. Anderson, and J.W. Cain III. 2022. The effects of wildland recreational disturbance on desert bighorn sheep in western Colorado. 29th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Spokane, Washington. | November 2022 |
Evans, A.D., J.W. Cain III, B. Banulis, N. Perry, and C. Anderson. 2021. Effects of human recreation on desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in western Colorado. 54th Joint Annual Meeting of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Virtual Online. | February 2021 |
Evans, A.D., J.W. Cain III, B. Banulis, N. Perry, and C. Anderson. 2021. Effects of wildland recreational disturbance on desert bighorn sheep in western Colorado. 56th Meeting of the Desert Bighorn Council, Virtual Online. | April 2021 |