Another Hurdle for Bighorns

[BigHornRam]

I suppose it could impact other ungulates as well.

Parasite common in cats causes abortion in bighorn sheep - WSU Insider

A parasite often spread by domestic and wild cats is a cause of abortions, or pregnancy loss, as well as neonatal deaths in big horn sheep, according to a study led by WSU researchers.

news.wsu.edu

 

[littlebighorn]

Wow
One more possible hurdle for bighorn recovery!

 

[rtraverdavis]

The hypothesized vector for transmission seems like it wouldn’t be all that common of an occurrence:

“The researchers suspect the bighorn sheep are contracting the parasite from domestic cats or wildcats like bobcats and cougars, both of which have territories that overlap with bighorn sheep.”

Hopefully the sheep can’t transfer it to each other.