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SEPTEMBER 2000: Desert Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis weemsi) recovery program..
ISLA EL CARMEN
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
 

In September 2000, an aerial census of desert bighorn sheep took place on Carmen Island.

A Hughes 500D helicopter from Cherry Helicopters was used. The census was conducted by Sergio Jiménez Lezama and Alejandro Espinosa from OVIS, with the help of and advice of Raul Valdez from New Mexico State University, James DeForge from the Bighorn Institute of California and Rod Krebs from the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Eastern Chapter.

In 9 flying hours, 16 different groups were found, corresponding to 36 individuals.

The adult males:females:juveniles: lambs proportion was 9:15:11:1. Considering habitat conditions and dense vegetation, it was determined that 45 % of the population was counted during the flights, so the total bighorn sheep population in the island is estimated on 80 individuals.
STG #
EWES
LAMBS
YRLG. FEMALE
YRLG
MALE
II
RAMS
III
RAMS
IV
RAMS
TOTAL
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
4
1
1
5
1
1
6
1
1
1
7
6
4
2
1
2
8
2
1
13
9
1
3
10
1
1
11
1
1
1
12
1
1
2
13
1
2
14
1
1
15
1
1
1
3
16
1
1
2
TOTAL
15
11
1
0
5
2
2
36

Edades aproximadas asignadas a los Borregos machos adultos: Clase II – 2-4 años, Clase III – 5-7 años, clase IV – 8+ años.
Carmen Island’s Management Program