1
|
Romero-Figueroa G, Ruiz-Mondragón EDJ, Shahriary E, Yee-Romero C, Guevara-Carrizales AA, Paredes-Montesinos R, Corrales-Sauceda JM, Guerrero-Cárdenas I, Valdez R. Population and Conservation Status of Bighorn Sheep in the State of Baja California, Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:504. [PMID: 38338147 PMCID: PMC10854778 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The bighorn sheep in Mexico is classified as at-risk by the Mexican federal government. In the state of Baja California, wild sheep can be observed throughout the length of the state from the USA-Mexico border south to the Agua de Soda mountain range. This research aimed to document the historical trend of the bighorn population based on aerial surveys conducted in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and the abundance, distribution, and structure of bighorn sheep populations in Baja California, based on an aerial survey conducted from 8-14 November 2021, covering thirteen mountain ranges. The estimated sheep population in 2021 was based on the number of individuals observed; the sightability of the animals; the area sampled; and the total area of habitat available. In 30.5 flight hours, 456 bighorn sheep were observed, with an estimated population of 1697 ± 80 individuals. The observation rate was 16 sheep sighted per hour of flight, and the ram:ewe:lamb ratio was 62:100:19. When the results of the 2021 flight were compared to the results of the previous aerial surveys, there was a large variation between the data, which was related to the lack of consistency between the sampling designs used in each study. Nevertheless, a statistical test of the results of aerial surveys conducted in the state suggest that the Baja California bighorn sheep population remained stable between 1992 and 2021. This study highlights the need to standardize wild sheep aerial surveys by defining flight paths and establishing a consistent duration of flights. On the other hand, Baja California authorities should consider modifying the current conservation strategy for bighorn sheep to increase the species' population in the state by initiating community-based wildlife conservation programs in rural communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Romero-Figueroa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
| | - Enrique de Jesús Ruiz-Mondragón
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
- Fundación Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Asociación Civil, Mexicali 21100, Mexico
| | - Eahsan Shahriary
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA;
| | - Carlos Yee-Romero
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
| | - Aldo Antonio Guevara-Carrizales
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
| | - Rafael Paredes-Montesinos
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
| | - Jesús Miguel Corrales-Sauceda
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (C.Y.-R.); (A.A.G.-C.); (R.P.-M.); (J.M.C.-S.)
| | | | - Raul Valdez
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88046, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ruiz-Mondragón EDJ, Romero-Figueroa G, Paredes-Montesinos R, Tapia-Cabazos LA, Méndez-Rosas LA, Venegas-Barrera CS, Arrellano-García ME, Guerrero-Cárdenas I, Lozano-Cavazos EA. Community-Based Workshops to Involve Rural Communities in Wildlife Management Case Study: Bighorn Sheep in Baja California, Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3171. [PMID: 37893895 PMCID: PMC10603732 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The description of natural history, and information on the factors threatening conservation, the distribution area, and the status of species population are necessary for proper wildlife management. The objective of this research was to generate such information in two rural communities and to engage residents in bighorn sheep management through a program of three workshops. The first one covered training regarding natural history and management of the species. The second one consisted in the description of the habitat of the species through a dynamic of participatory mapping. The third, include a design of a one strategy to monitor the bighorn sheep population. The workshops were attended by 37 people from the two rural communities. The results suggest the economic element was the main interest of the inhabitants regarding the bighorn sheep. Eleven risk factors were identified to the bighorn sheep in the study sites, a participatory map with relevant information for the management of the species on each community was developed, and a monitoring strategy of the bighorn sheep population was prepared. The workshop program proposed in this research is a tool that can be applied in rural communities to lay the groundwork for a long-term management project of wildlife species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique de J. Ruiz-Mondragón
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Guillermo Romero-Figueroa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Rafael Paredes-Montesinos
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Luz A. Tapia-Cabazos
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Luis A. Méndez-Rosas
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | - Crystian S. Venegas-Barrera
- Tecnológico Nacional de México, Benito Juárez 03330, CDMX, Mexico;
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria 87010, TAMPS, Mexico
| | - María E. Arrellano-García
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, BC, Mexico; (E.d.J.R.-M.); (R.P.-M.); (L.A.T.-C.); (L.A.M.-R.); (M.E.A.-G.)
| | | | - Eloy A. Lozano-Cavazos
- Departamento de Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, COAH, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Stewart AM, Conner MM, McKeever JS, Ellsworth A, Crowhurst RS, Epps CW, Stephenson TR. Comparing fecal DNA capture‐recapture to mark‐resight for estimating abundance of mule deer on winter ranges. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andi M. Stewart
- Department of Wildlife Biology University of Montana 32 Campus Drive Missoula MT 59318 USA
| | - Mary M. Conner
- Department of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Jane S. McKeever
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Alisa Ellsworth
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Rachel S. Crowhurst
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Clinton W. Epps
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Thomas R. Stephenson
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The abundance and persistence of Caprinae populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13807. [PMID: 35970998 PMCID: PMC9378773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17963-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable or growing populations may go extinct when their sizes cannot withstand large swings in temporal variation and stochastic forces. Hence, the minimum abundance threshold defining when populations can persist without human intervention forms a key conservation parameter. We identify this threshold for many populations of Caprinae, typically threatened species lacking demographic data. Doing so helps triage conservation and management actions for threatened or harvested populations. Methodologically, we used population projection matrices and simulations, with starting abundance, recruitment, and adult female survival predicting future abundance, growth rate (λ), and population trend. We incorporated mean demographic rates representative of Caprinae populations and corresponding variances from desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni), as a proxy for Caprinae sharing similar life histories. We found a population’s minimum abundance resulting in ≤ 0.01 chance of quasi-extinction (QE; population ≤ 5 adult females) in 10 years and ≤ 0.10 QE in 30 years as 50 adult females, or 70 were translocation (removals) pursued. Discovering the threshold required 3 demographic parameters. We show, however, that monitoring populations’ relationships to this threshold requires only abundance and recruitment data. This applied approach avoids the logistical and cost hurdles in measuring female survival, making assays of population persistence more practical.
Collapse
|
5
|
DYAL JORDANR, Miller KV, Cherry MJ, D'Angelo GJ. Estimating Sightability for Helicopter Surveys Using Surrogates of White‐Tailed Deer. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- JORDAN R. DYAL
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia 180 E Green Street Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Karl V. Miller
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia 180 E Green Street Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Michael J. Cherry
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville 700 University Boulevard Kingsville TX 78363 USA
| | - Gino J. D'Angelo
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia 180 E Green Street Athens GA 30602 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Accurate population estimation of Caprinae using camera traps and distance sampling. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17729. [PMID: 33082374 PMCID: PMC7576118 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73893-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With most of the world’s Caprinae taxa threatened with extinction, the IUCN appeals to the development of simple and affordable sampling methods that will produce credible abundance and distribution data for helping conserve these species inhabiting remote areas. Traditional sampling approaches, like aerial sampling or mark-capture-recapture, can generate bias by failing to meet sampling assumptions, or by incurring too much cost and logistical burden for most projects to address them. Therefore, we met the IUCN’s challenge by testing a sampling technique that leverages imagery from camera traps with conventional distance sampling, validating its operability in mountainous topography by comparing results to known abundances. Our project occurred within a captive facility housing a wild population of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in the Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico, which is censused yearly. True abundance was always within our 90% confidence bounds, and the mean abundance estimates were within 4.9 individuals (average) of the census values. By demonstrating the veracity of this straightforward and inexpensive sampling method, we provide confidence in its operability, urging its use to fill conservation voids for Caprinae and other data-deficient species inhabiting rugged or heavily vegetated terrain.
Collapse
|
7
|
Pfeiler SS, Conner MM, Mckeever JS, Stephenson TR, German DW, Crowhurst RS, Prentice PR, Epps CW. Costs and Precision of Fecal DNA Mark–Recapture versus Traditional Mark–Resight. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen S. Pfeiler
- Utah State University Wildland Resources Department 5230 Old Main Hill, NR 206 Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Mary M. Conner
- Utah State University Wildland Resources Department 5230 Old Main Hill, NR 206 Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Jane S. Mckeever
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 787 N Main Street Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Thomas R. Stephenson
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - David W. German
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Rachel S. Crowhurst
- Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Paige R. Prentice
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 787 N Main Street, Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Clinton W. Epps
- Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Holt RD, Butler MJ. Modeling audible detection of prairie grouse booming informs survey design. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Douglas Holt
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceTogiak National Wildlife RefugeP.O. Box 270DillinghamAK99576USA
| | - Matthew J. Butler
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Wildlife Refuge System, Biological Services500 Gold Avenue SWAlbuquerqueNM87102USA
| |
Collapse
|