Deadly bighorn pneumonia east and southeast of Missoula spreads still further.

Both upper and lower Rock Creek herds are now infected-

Worse, the terrain is too rough in lower Rock Creek to cull the herd.

It appears that over 400 bighorn are at risk. Well over a hundred have already be culled. Others have just died on their own.

Pneumonia confirmed in Upper Rock Creek bighorn sheep herd. By Rob Chaney. Missoulian

Update 2/3/10: I’ve put together maps showing the locations of the bighorn populations that have shown signs of pneumonia across the west with some close-up maps of the areas.  The green areas are where bighorns currently live and the red areas are those showing signs of pneumonia.  Ken Cole

Map of the sick bighorn populations in the west

Mining mogul buys Montana ranch famed for conservation

Sun Ranch bought by Richard C. Adkerson, CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold-

Mining exec buys Sun Ranch. By Daniel Person. Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

Why top predators matter

An in-depth look at new research

Top predators such as wolves, lions, and jaguars play very important roles in the ecology. From control of mesopredators like coyotes and hyenas to control of ungulate populations and how they use the land.

Why top predators matter: an in-depth look at new research
Jeremy Hance
mongabay.com