The Bighorn Sheep of Glacier National Park

America offers some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in the world. With the many national parks this country offers, millions of visitors flock each year to get away from the cities and suburbs to enjoy pristine land and the natural wildlife that live there. One park in particular that is extremely popular and offers a diverse population of wildlife is Glacier National Park and one of its well known inhabitants includes the Bighorn sheep.

The Beauty of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana and is considered to be one of the most beautiful national parks. More than two million yearly visitors come to the park using the many public facilities, as well as follow trails and venture far off road to see the many natural attractions. The Bighorn sheep have always been an attraction to park goers mainly due to their incredibly long horns that can rival 42 inches. The Bighorn sheep are tough and hardy animals. They live in the higher elevations away from most predators and can sometimes be seen walking dangerously close to very steep cliffs.

The Dwindling Population of the Bighorn Sheep
At one time, the Bighorn sheep roamed North America and the area now known as Glacier National Park in large numbers with estimates ranging over 2 million. However, in less than 200 years the Bighorn sheep’s numbers have dangerously plummeted. Today, there are an estimated 28,000 Bighorn sheep left in all of North America and approximately less than 800 roaming the park itself.

Understanding the Bighorn Sheep of Glacier National Park
Obviously, the dwindling numbers of Bighorn sheep in Glacier National Park has become of great interest to researchers and conservationists. In fact, there is currently plenty being done to first understand the Bighorn sheep and secondly to help their numbers improve. Unfortunately, little is known about these sheep and this has been a major obstacle in helping their numbers improve over the years. Glacier National Park and all national parks were set up not only for the benefit of visitors, but also as a haven for wildlife, plant life and the incredibly beautiful geological features that these parks showcase.

For more information on Glacier National Park along with the Bighorn sheep, Smithsonian Magazine offers a fascinating magazine on the subject. You can read this article today by visiting our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Quincy Jones, Forbidden City, Glacier National Park, Wrigley Field