Bighorn frequently die of pneumonia after contact with domestic sheep, but domestic sheep don’t get sick. In response to lobbying by woolgrowers the Idaho legislature has passed a law that will require the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to certify that existing sheep operations are safe and possibly to kill any bighorn sheep that are found near domestic sheep on public or private land. This law is simply vengeance of the perpetrator on the victim. Use the strength and influence of the business community to send the perpetrators a message. Don’t vacation or recreate in Idaho until it’s again safe for bighorn sheep.
” All animals have Pasteurella bacteria in their upper respiratory tracts…” Dr. Marie Bulgin
- Yes, it’s true, many species of mammals, including people do. And most have hair and two eyes. But most mammals don’t have the propensity to pass their Pasteurella respiratory flora on to another closely related species which then dies of the infection. Thirty years of field observations on free-ranging domestic and bighorn sheep, experimental inoculations and captive animal trials have shown this is exactly what happens. Washington State University researchers have recently again shown that otherwise healthy domestic sheep are the source of the lethal Pasteurella, this time uniquely (florescent) labeled, that kill bighorn if they are allowed nose to nose contact.
- All cattle have Pasteurella bacteria in their upper respiratory tracts. But some have more deadly strains that others and will infect susceptible cattle causing outbreaks of “shipping fever” pneumonia, if they are not kept separate. What is happening when domestic sheep are mingled with bighorn is exactly what happens when stressed cattle shedding bad Pasteurella’s are allowed to mix with unprotected susceptible cattle. No stockman in his right mind would do this. Any veterinarian who allowed it would be a candidate for a malpractice suit. And who would propose killing the susceptible cattle to prevent spread of infection ? Why doesn’t the State of Idaho “get it” ? Maybe because the “experts” they listen to have serious conflicts of interest.
