Courtesy photo
Mineral County Wildlife Advisory Board chairman Glenn Bunch is shown with a desert bighorn sheep that was undergoing testing and observation before being transplanted outside of Luning.
Ten desert bighorn sheep were transplanted from the Gabbs Valley Range into the Garfield Hills on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The sheep were chosen as a source stock that has the same Mycoplasma strain as those in the Garfield Hills area. The ewes from the group have had an average or above average lamb ratio, to help build the size of the heard in the area outside of Luning.
Captured with the net gun method, the sheep are transported via helicopter to a base camp where the blindfolded animals are set down and await their turn to be examined by an onsite veterinarian.
Once the animals are on the tables, their vitals signs are checked, as is the age of the animal along with collecting blood, attaching collars, providing antibiotics or intravenous fluids and an inspection for any injuries.
Once the animal is cleared, it awaits its new destination in the Garfield Hills.
Partial funding for transplanting of sheep comes from federal sources and sportsmen’s donations.
