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The little known world of Bighorn Sheep in Teton Park

Mr. Doug Ayers, one of our distinguished 3 Creek Ranch homeowners and lifelong naturalist brought to my attention the interesting work being done in Teton Park with a unique population of bighorn sheep. And why is this population so unique to warrant our interest? Few can argue that the regal bighorn sheep ram, with its pair of massive curled horns, is not an icon of the wild character of our Park and the rocky Mountain West. But more importantly, the future of this magnificent ungulate is uncertain for several reasons, including: its small populace (recent estimates are 100-125 individuals), isolation from any neighboring herds leading to loss of genetic diversity, habitat alteration due to wildfire suppression and threats posed by increasing human recreation in the winter. Jackson Hole winters present the most challenging time for survival for all wildlife, particularly bighorn sheep. Winter in Teton Park finds these animals only on the most exposed and windswept high elevation ridges where grasses are exposed and most accessible to the sheep. Many of these same peaks and ridges where sheep spend the winter also happen to be excellent terrain for backcounty skiers. Although controversial to some recreationalists, Teton Park wildlife scientists have closed human access into critical winter sheep habitat areas. The continued work of Park biologists will provide all wildlife managers throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with the information they need to develop informed and effective management strategies to protect this unique population.

To me, this is an elegant story of the relationship between people-dedicated wildlife scientists, a population of remote and truly wild animals and a spectacular Teton landscape. Many of you have heard me say that every landscape has a story to tell, you just need to know how to read it. Well, this is not only a story of people doing their best to preserve a remote population of bighorn sheep in a National Park, it is a story that also gives us new and refreshing insights into this place we call home. And we must remember that there are so few other places on this planet where people have a chance to form a relationship with a natural landscape that sustains a nearly intact suite of native wild animals. Yep, this is a pretty special place alright...

I invite each of you to join me on any of our weekly hikes throughout the valley in the summer or our ski/snowshoe outings in the winter. These outings offer a wonderful opportunity to be outside, get exercise and have fun learning about the natural history of our valley, bighorn sheep included. Next summer, I plan to visit the biologists doing the bighorn sheep research in the Park and spend a day or two searching for these elusive and magnificent animals. I also hope you will take some time to learn more about the story of the bighorn sheep in Teton Park, I don't think you will be disappointed. I have included at the end of this edition of FieldNotes two websites about bighorn sheep in the Park.

So, why a story about bighorn sheep? I think that somewhere within every story about the natural world there is a story about ourselves, no?

Respectively,
Roger Smith
Resident Naturalist

http://tetonsheepproject.blogspot.com/

http://www.nps.gov/grte