Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 2015.

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) originally crossed into North America over the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia. The population peaked in the millions and bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. Unfortunately, by 1900 the population had crashed to just several thousand due to diseases spread through the introduction of European livestock as well as overhunting by those who immigrated to North America. Conservation efforts are continuing to help restore the North American population.

bighorn sheep sheep bighorn ovis canadensis horns lake mead national recreation area north america population north american population native americans land bridge diseases spread european livestock conservation efforts national parks gallery arizona nevada

1900

National Parks Gallery

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