On a recent Z107.7 Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault spoke with Joshua Tree National Park Wildlife Biologist Michael Vamstad about the Park’s bighorn sheep, including some of the fascinating insight researchers are gaining through the use of satellite-enabled tracking devices.
“These are collars that go on the sheep, it looks like a thick necklace and it talks to satellites,” Vamstad said.
The collars allow Vamstad to see exactly where the sheep are at any moment.
Recently, these tracking devices showed how a herd of bighorn from the Mojave National Preserve migrated over a hundred miles into the Coxcomb Mountains. These mountains are south of the Twentynine Palms Highway. in the easternmost section of Joshua Tree National Park.
When herds are able to migrate like this, it can improve their genetic diversity and overall health. The collars are also shining a light on the activity of a significant predator.
“One of the most interesting things we’ve had is that six of the sixteen sheep that we had collared were killed by mountain lions, or we believe were killed by mountain lions, which sounds really crazy.” Vamstad said. “Honestly it’s really an indicator of the health of the system. We have predator-prey relationships that are working in the park.”
If you want to support the park, the Joshua Tree National Park Association is holding a fundraiser, Beneath the Desert Sky, Saturday Aug 19 at Pappy + Harriet’s, featuring local bands Mojave Lords and Friends, Flames of Durga, and C’est Claire.
Then on September 23, there’s another fundraiser: The Bighorn Benefit Dinner and Auction. Funds from this event will go directly to support the Desert Bighom monitoring program.
You can hear the full interview with Michael Vamstad by listening to the Up Close Show as a podcast.
