A sheep on the loose might sound like a harmless escape story, but Montana wildlife officials say this one is no laughing matter.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is asking the public to help track down a hybridized female Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep that disappeared from a private livestock facility near Vaughn in early September. The runaway ewe weighs about 120 pounds and is “primarily white in color with a red ear tag.”
The big concern isn’t where she’s headed, but what she could bring with her. If the ewe crosses paths with wild bighorn sheep, she could introduce diseases or pathogens that threaten native herds.
FWP is asking anyone who spots the animal to “report any sitings to FWP’s Region 4 office at 406-454-5840.”
One missing sheep could mean big trouble for Montana’s wild herds.
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