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Show M's DiQliora: Incroasing utan s bighorn sheep population appears to be increasing in numbers but facing some serious problems in the future, according to the 1975 Division of Wildlife Resources "Bighorn Sheep Range, Population Trend and Movement Studv." AERIAL surveys conducted as part of the overall study have indicated an increase in sheep numbers since 1969, when aerial trend counts were started. In 1974, 147 sheep were counted during the year-long study. Efforts during 1975. however, revealed 220 sheep. Sheep, which were previously fitted with radio transmitters, were tracked to gather data on location and movement. THE STUDY also indicated that the ewe-lamb ratio has improved over the past few years from 33 lambs per 100 ewes in 1989 to 57 lambs per 100 ewes in 1975. Although the report was written just prior to the cancellation can-cellation of the Kaiparowits power project in southern Utah, it indicated some serious potential problems regarding the bighorn and progress. BIGHORN range is located primarily in or over land that contains fossil fuels, including includ-ing oil, gas, coal and uranium; also potash, a key ingredient in fertilizers that continue to be in short supply and high demand. Highways into bighorn country are expanding, bringing more tourism and development of natural resources. Recreational uses have accelerated and are compounding the effects of the increased need for energy and recreational use. THE 1975 report suggests that now may be the proper time to begin planning the necessary steps to secure adequate habitat for Utah's Desert bighorn sheep herd. |