Marco Polo Sheep Cloned?

[Outback]

Thompson got them from the State of Colorado. 100% Legit!! They were naturally reproduced from some pastured Mouflan Ewes in Colorado and some Wild Bighorn were able to get inside the fence and produced the hybrid. Colorado F and G wanted them gone and Thompson went and darted them and brought them to Texas. Legally.I have personally seen these Hybrid Sheep on his Ranch.

As I recall, Colorado wanted these things GONE before they got out and interbred with Bighorn and messed their genetics up. They were glad for them to go!

[Dale Moser]

So the fear is they'll escape captivity, breed as prolifically as hogs and make their way to Bighorn habitat?

They WILL escape captivity, and eventually make their way to bighorn habitat. It's a stupid idea for people to shoot bigger pasture goats, and it should be stopped. Especially given the millions of dollars spent on various bighorn projects.

[donpablo]

They WILL escape captivity, and eventually make their way to bighorn habitat. It's a stupid idea for people to shoot bigger pasture goats, and it should be stopped. Especially given the millions of dollars spent on various bighorn projects.

Not trying to be argumentative. I'm just curious. Has Colorado (or whatever state this occurred in) had issues with any other domesticated sheep finding their way into BH habitat?

[Drycreek3189]

Not trying to be argumentative. I'm just curious. Has Colorado (or whatever state this occurred in) had issues with any other domesticated sheep finding their way into BH habitat?

Yes they have, and domestic sheep carry diseases that are deadly to bighorns. The wildlife folks want domestic sheep off the range but the BLM leases land for grazing. One more example of government screwing things up. And a prime example of what the Bible says about money. In case you forgot, “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”.

[donpablo]

Yes they have, and domestic sheep carry diseases that are deadly to bighorns. The wildlife folks want domestic sheep off the range but the BLM leases land for grazing. One more example of government screwing things up. And a prime example of what the Bible says about money. In case you forgot, “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”.

I have heard of the dangers domestic sheep pose to BHs but was under the impression these states had eliminated or at least limited grazing them near BH habitat. But still I can't help but think one of these super rams Getting loose and surviving long has about the same odds as a kudu surviving on low fence TX ranches during deer season.

[Greenheadless]

So the fear is they'll escape captivity, breed as prolifically as hogs and make their way to Bighorn habitat?

So, just like aoudad have?

[donpablo]

So, just like aoudad have?

I’d be lying if I said I knew for sure but I don’t think the exotic ranches are nearly as common in these other states as they are in TX. but I do know they have some breeding programs. So I guess they are currently and have been posing this risk for a while.

[Greenheadless]

I’d be lying if I said I knew for sure but I don’t think the exotic ranches are nearly as common in these other states as they are in TX. but I do know they have some breeding programs. So I guess they are currently and have been posing this risk for a while.

They are definitely a problem in Texas.