ST. GEORGE — Human activity can be a "big stress" on bighorn sheep during sensitive times of the year in Zion National Park. Officials said recently that the sheep are now in their mating season, which lasts until October.
Janice Stroud-Settles, a wildlife biologist at Zion National Park, told St. George News that late summer, fall and spring are especially critical for the herd. In the spring, the ewes are lambing.
"If they're stressed because humans are close or approaching, they may abandon that preferred habitat for both lambing and feeding, which can really impact the survival of their young," Stroud-Settles said.
The current mating season brings some of the most iconic behavior associated with the species. Mounting, when the animals rear back, charging and headbutting. All in a display of dominance.
