The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners have voted to release Desert Bighorn Sheep, one of North America's most endangered mammals, into the 107,000 acre Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.
"Soon volunteers with the Nevada Bighorn Unlimited will begin to install guzzlers (watering trough collection systems) for the sheep," said Chris Healy, director media relations for the Nevada Division of Wildlife. "We will begin trapping from 20 to 40 sheep in central and southern parts of the state in the fall. The exact number will depend on the conditions and the animal populations in each. We will then bring the sheep to a designated area in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center and release them. If we only get about 20 animals we will monitor them to see how they are doing after their release. If they are doing well we will augment the herd with additional sheep."
Before the vote, commissioners met with Lance Gilman, developer and exclusive real estate broker for TRI, to get his approval. Gilman, a long time wildlife supporter, was in full agreement as he believed the terrain to be exceptional for these animals, providing an environment where they will be healthy and grow in number while roaming throughout the hills of his property. Gilman's interest in wildlife and providing sanctuary for such is not new. Two years ago three truckloads of wild mustangs were set free at TRI and today these beautiful horses and their offspring can be seen throughout even the most inhabited sections of the old ranch land, turned industrial park.
Desert Bighorn Sheep are a subspecies of Bighorn Sheep. The characteristics and behavior generally follows those of Bighorn Sheep except for their adaptation to the lack of water in the desert. They can go for extended periods of time without drinking water.
There is no hunting of any kind allowed in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.