Animal Profiles - Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Taken by Estes Park Tour Guides

Image: Ewe(female) Sheep

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have been the symbol of RMNP.

The herd size and health has fluctuated in population due to hunting and poor conservation in the early 1900's due to their meat and horns being prized by settlers.

The RMNP bighorn sheep herd today is more prominent along the eastern boundary of the park and the surviving native herds have continued to grow. Today, approximately 300-400 bighorn sheep live in the Rocky Mountain National Park and visit Estes Park almost daily.

Reference: NPS