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FIND OUT WHO WILL GET BARBECUED IN 110 DEGREE HEAT FOR COUNTING SHEEP

To find out why young couples, singles, and seniors are putting their lives on the line to count and save bighorn sheep.

Contact: Gary Katz
858 488-7400 office
858 366-3504 cell
Email: gary@theabf.org

www.theabf.org

What’s The Story

Bighorn sheep can weigh up to 240 pounds, can scamper up the vertical cliff of a mountain, can guzzle down 3 gallons of water to survive in 120-degree heat. When two male sheep knock horns in a territorial battle, it sounds like guns going off. Researchers report that one male sheep hit by a car got up and mated 30 minutes later!

Once a year, over the Fourth of July weekend, an intrepid group of extreme volunteers from San Diego and as far away as Oregon goes to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to stake out their assigned sites and look for the elusive sheep. Some hike in miles to various locations in the park to sit in temperatures anywhere from 100-120 degrees for 10 hours a day.

This is the 41st year of the annual sheep count. Disease and predators had dropped the numbers below 300. Over the last 10 years, the population of bighorn sheep in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has been making a steady recovery. Last year the population was near 500 in the Park.

Who’s Putting It On

Anza-Borrego Foundation sponsors the annual Sheep Count. Anza-Borrego Foundation partners with the State Park in its mission of conservation and education. Check out: www.theabf.org

Why

Because this bighorn sheep population is a Federally endangered species and we need to monitor their numbers and health.

When

Thursday -Sunday, June 30-July 3, 2011

Where

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at 15 different park locations.

Who's Available for Interviews

• Mark Jorgensen-Leading expert on Bighorn Sheep and previous Park Superintendent
• Various Sheep Counters, some live in San Diego
• Interviews could be conducted at the station or on locations.