https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn...-begin-october-3.htm



NEWS RELEASE
Wildlife Project Will Temporarily Close Sections of the Park
Aoudad and Bighorn Survey


Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSSNews Release Date: September 25, 2023
Contact: Thomas Athens, 432-477-1145

Contact: Tom VandenBerg, 432-477-1107

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas – The Deadhorse Mountains and surrounding areas, including the Dagger Flat Road and Old Ore Road (see map), will be closed starting October 3. During the first two weeks of October, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue with measures to protect native desert bighorn sheep at Big Bend National Park, which includes reducing the population of non-native aoudad (Barbary sheep).

The NPS will work with Texas Parks and Wildlife to remove the aoudad using helicopters and staff trained in aerial shooting operations. Closure areas will reopen once the surveys are completed. Visitors are advised to please follow posted closure signs for trailheads and roads. See the attached map for detailed closures and access information.

The Mesa de Anguila will also be surveyed for bighorn sheep and aoudads on October 9. There will not be lethal control of aoudad on the Mesa de Anguila and all areas of the national park will remain open on this survey date.

Barbary sheep are native to the dry mountains of Northern Africa, but now thrive within the rugged landscape of West Texas. Over the last 30 years, Barbary sheep have established a foothold within the park and their population has increased significantly in recent years, with hundreds now roaming the area. Barbary sheep occupy the same habitats as the park's small population of native desert bighorn sheep and negatively impact the natural ecology of the park. Large groups of aoudad can prevent desert bighorn from accessing water, threaten biodiversity, and impair park visitors’ ability to experience natural conditions and scenery.

This effort is part of Big Bend's long-term, integrated approach to control exotic animals and protect park resources. Management of aoudad is in keeping with the Big Bend Exotic Animal Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, finalized in June 2018.

Typical government operation spend lots of money.

When they could make money.

This is pretty much an annual event. Funny how everyone complains about non-indigenous species(aoudad), but no one is complaining about the growing elk population in the Trans-Pecos region, which are not native to the area.

quote:

Originally posted by squeezenhope:
This is pretty much an annual event. Funny how everyone complains about non-indigenous species(aoudad), but no one is complaining about the growing elk population in the Trans-Pecos region, which are not native to the area.

There is debate over elk's native/non-native history in the Trans-Pecos.

As far as the overall complaining goes, elk and aoudad are pretty much the same. Texas Parks & Wildlife does complain (and hate) elk in West Texas. TPW also hates aoudad. However most hunters and outfitters love both elk and aoudad.

I really don't think (due to disease and predation) that the desert big horns are really viable in Texas anymore.....bit the aoudads do well.

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
I really don't think (due to disease and predation) that the desert big horns are really viable in Texas anymore.....bit the aoudads do well.

I could not agree more. I love mountain sheep, but desert big horns will never make it back to a long term self sustaining population in Texas. They may be able to survive for a while in pockets, but they are too susceptible to disease.

I wish desert bighorns were as hardy as aoudad and elk. As long as ranchers pump water for their livestock, aoudad and elk will thrive and expand.

Aoudads are neat looking and fun to hunt (though truly shitty to eat), but it's a shame that they put so much pressure and disease risk on the desert bighorns. It's not really fair to excuse deprioritizing desert bighorns due to lack of viability when the aoudads present one of the larger threats to their viability.

"They're fun to hunt" is not a good reason for giving up the fight against aoudads, just as it's not a good reason for giving up the fight against feral hogs. Frankly, I'd rather see bounties on both animals if we could avoid widespread fraud (e.g., people submitting farm-raised pig parts and getting paid the bounty).

We kill feral aoudads from helicopters, trap and poison feral pigs but federal law protects feral horses and burros! Selective indignation! Feral burros are a known direct competition to native sheep! Where is the adopt a aoudad program?

quote:

Originally posted by Live Oak:
We kill feral aoudads from helicopters, trap and poison feral pigs but federal law protects feral horses and burros! Selective indignation! Feral burros are a known direct competition to native sheep! Where is the adopt a aoudad program?

You expect the crowd that is behind these things to be logical.

Don't it is all feelings based very little science.