Pneumonia outbreak in Yakima canyon

[huntnphool]

Good evening all. I have collaborated with the biologists out of the Wenatchee office and FORTUNATELY there are currently no signs of MOVI present in the North Central herds (Swakane, Chelan Butte and Manson). While the conversation regarding our Wild Sheep in Washington is appreciated, please ensure that you contact those in the "know" prior to spreading misinformation. As you all may or may not know, Wild Sheep are a precious resource and need a close eye on them when it comes to contact with domestics. If you see anything regarding this, you are encouraged to please contact the local WDFW office and let them know.

I look forward to "talking sheep" with all of you who are attending the 2022 annual Wild Sheep Foundation fundraising banquet on March 12th. (tickets are going fast, so get yours soon) It's going to be a fantastic evening to raise funds to support Wild Sheep conservation!

Washingtonwsf.org

Garrett Grant
Vice President
Washington Wild Sheep Foundation

 Thanks for the updated info Garrett, happy to see you posting.

[scree]

I'm just happy that the N. Central herds are healthy.  We can use some good news. WA sheep have been getting their teeth kicked in with MOVI way too much lately.  Hopefully these sheep stay healthy. 

FYI there is a purposed rule to bar pack goats from certain WDFW lands and the comment period is open.  I wrote something  like "I support the restriction of domestic goats on WDFW lands that are near bighorn sheep herds" If you are so inclined, please log on and make a comment supporting the separation of domestic livestock and our wild sheep.

I would like to note that I'm not anti pack goat. I think people should be able to recreate how they want; however, in the case of bring potentially MOVI positive animals amongst bighorns is just not the risk.     

Is there any proposals to enforce or ban domestic sheep grazing where wild sheep live? Seems like the pack goat problem is pretty minimal. I’ve hiked all over the cascades and blues and have never run into any pack goats. Maybe a half dozen llamas.

I agree the pack goats are minimal in the grand scheme of things.  They aren't a problem until they are. It only takes one bad encounter. 

There is currently a law suit brought by a couple of "Green" organizations against the Forest Service (normally I don't agree with these groups but in this case I hope they win)  Basically it outlines the FS's lack of implementation of a Congressional mandate.  The FS's own data shows several BHS herds are at a high risk of contact with domestic sheep on FS grazing allotments.  If they win this would be a big deal and go a long way in separation.  This would only effect FS domestic sheep grazing permits and wouldn't do anything for the hoppy flocks unfortunately. 

WDFW tried a program directed at small flocks that would test their animals.  If the domestic sheep were MOVI positive the owners were offered a clean sheep from a heard kept at Walla Walla state penitentiary.  Unfortunately the program fell apart when they couldn't keep the Walla Walla sheep clean.  It was a good idea, it just didn't work.     

[jackelope]

I guess I’d be more inclined to push for bans or restrictions on domestic sheep grazing in wild sheep country as that seems like a much bigger problem than some pack goats. You’re talking hundreds or thousands of domestic sheep free ranging all over the country side or a pack string of a few goats who are with their people/handlers/owners 100% of the time. 500 out of control unmonitored sheep going wherever they want and that’s going seemingly ignored versus  or 4 goats with their owners being monitored and they’re being pushed out. Doesn’t make sense to me.

[Torrent50]

Found out today that my ram did test positive for Movi, so I guess it's a good thing that he got taken out of the herd.