From: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/02/01/ap-state-wy/d8n138p81.txt

42 bighorns from Montana to take up residence in Laramie Range

Thursday, February 01, 2007

WHEATLAND, Wyo. - State wildlife officials released 42 bighorn sheep from Montana in the Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Area in an effort to boost the region's herd and add genetic diversity.

The operation, which began with the animals' capture about 75 miles north of Bozeman, Mont., concluded with their release Wednesday.

"This is the first Montana blood that has come into Laramie Peak," said Bob Lanka, wildlife management coordinator for Game and Fish's Laramie Region

Laramie Peak already has about 200 bighorn sheep, but most came from the Whiskey Mountain herd near Dubois.

Lanka said the new bighorns would be better suited to the Laramie Peak ecosystem. They came from the Plains herd in Montana, which lives in a habitat similar to Laramie Peak _ high and arid, but not the extreme high-altitude terrain that the Whiskey Mountain herd lives in.

"These sheep from Montana are basically used to moving up and down one mountain," Lanka said, unlike the Whiskey Mountain herd that migrates from high alpine meadows to lower elevations.

"These animals are more able to make a living on country that greens up sooner," Lanka said. "We think they'll do fine, but the proof is in the pudding. We'll know in three or four years."

Information from: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com

A service of the Associated Press(AP)


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