December 2017
Year-End Gift
It’s that time of year again when everyone is looking at their annual tax-deductible contributions and figuring out whether or not they need to give a little more. We’d love to be the recipient of your “little more”! Bighorn Institute is privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit and we could use your help as we care for the captive herd of bighorn, monitor three different herds in the wild, provide important research data to the wildlife agencies and educate the public about the sheep. Would you consider a year-end gift? It’s not too late. You can donate online at www.bighorninstitute.org or mail us a check, post-marked December 31st. All donations are completely tax-deductible. We have some exciting plans for 2018 and hope you’ll join us because, together, we are making a difference!
Fall Lamb Update
There have been a couple more fall lambs born in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains
near Rancho Mirage/Palm Desert since last month’s report bringing the total to 7 lambs a leaping (sorry, too close to Christmas). Once again, this is an incredibly rare phenomenon since bighorn ewes give birth just once a year (in spring) and these are second lambs for these ewes this year. We’re excited to see what happens to these little ones, as well as with the upcoming spring lambing for 2018, which is fast approaching. We’ll keep you posted!
Lamb Drowns at PGA West
Unfortunately, not all of our lambing news is good. At the end of December, a female
lamb drowned in the Coachella Canal at PGA West. With lamb survival in this group already low, this is disheartening loss, especially when a fence would have prevented it. This is the 5th sheep that has drowned in the canal and the 20th sheep to die on the La Quinta golf courses (primarily PGA West and SilverRock) since 2012.
A fence is needed, and required, around the golf courses to keep the sheep safe in their natural habitat away from urban perils. However, thus far, PGA West has denied permission for a fence along the base of the mountains on their property, despite not being financially responsible for the fence. That’s too bad because in the meantime, this endangered species continues to suffer.
Member Hike
Our last Member Hike was a great success as we observed 8 bighorn sheep (2 pictured here)! Our next Member Hike will be Friday, January 12th at 8:00am. We would love to have you join
us, but space is limited, no dogs, and you must RSVP for this first come first served hike. To sign up or for more information, please call us at 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
Save-the-Date: Annual Membership Meeting
Bighorn Institute’s annual membership meeting will take place at 9:00 am on Saturday,
February 3rd at the Institute. We will discuss our accomplishments in 2017 and plans for 2018. All members are welcome, but please RSVP at (760) 346-7334. We hope you can join us!