THE ECOLOGY OF PENINSULAR BIGHORN SHEEP IN THE SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA

Natural history studies or case studies are important for problem solving and progress in conservation biology (Shrader-Frechette and McCoy 1993). For many species, empirical life history data needed for computer simulation modeling are lacking. Additionally, knowing the distribution, demography, survival, and recruitment of a population is fundamental to understanding the causes for a population decline and determining management options to restore a population (Caughley and Gum 1996). In this study, we investigated a small population of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis ccrnodensis cremnobates) to obtain baseline health and demographic information and to develop management recommendations aimed at regaining population viability.