Adopt-a-Bighorn (Plush Premium)

Bighorn sheep are sometimes called a “wilderness species” because they require some of the most remote and protected areas in the West. Today, Zion visitors may be lucky enough to see a bighorn in the park, but this has not always been the case, for Zion’s bighorn history is a tumultuous one.
Zion has long been home to bighorn, for they are well-depicted in prehistoric petroglyphs and were often seen in the early days of European settlement. However, combined stresses from human settlement led to their extinction in Zion in the 1950’s. Their historic range lay vacant for over 20 years until the 1970’s when bighorn were returned to the park through an intensive reintroduction program. Only 12 bighorn were brought to Zion to re-establish the population, and despite the odds, they have prospered and the population is now estimated to be over 150 individuals.
By joining the Adopt-a-Bighorn program, you can help protect the desert bighorn sheep, the park’s symbol of wilderness. When a park supports a healthy population of such a sensitive species, it is proof of a healthy ecosystem and its ability to support many other wildlife species, including mountain lions, California condors, Mexican spotted owls, and peregrine falcons.
Price: US $30.00

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