Endangered bighorn sheep spotted in downtown Palm Springs. Here's what to do if they return
A video that has been making rounds on social media all week shows two bewildered-looking bighorn sheep crossing Palm Canyon Drive, between East Andreas Road and Museum Way, and taking in the shops and slowed cars around them.
A voice in the video is heard saying, "They're just like, 'Umm, trying to go to brunch,'" providing cheeky commentary as to why the two animals may have galloped their way down the mountain and into the downtown area (Psst, Lulu's is just a few blocks south). Bighorn sheep typically eat grasses, shrubs and forbs, not pancakes, eggs Benedict and mimosas.
Another voice says the person capturing the video can get closer to the sheep because they are tame, but the Bighorn Institute advises against that.
The video was captured and shared on Facebook by Jeff Witthuhn of the boutique Peepas, according to a post, who did not immediately respond to The Desert Sun's request for comment.
Peninsular bighorn sheep call the Coachella Valley home. They live in dry, rocky, low-elevation desert slopes, canyons and washes from the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains near Palm Springs south into Baja California, Mexico.
The sheep have previously been spotted grazing on the grass at the O'Donnell Golf Club, located in downtown Palm Springs, which is located right next to rocky, mountainous terrain and the Cactus to Clouds trailhead.
The Peninsular bighorn sheep are an endangered species in the United States, and have been since March 18, 1998.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined that Peninsular bighorn sheep are in danger of extinction throughout a significant portion of their range due to disease, predation, habitat loss and human disturbance, according to the Bighorn Institute.
In the 1970s, Peninsular bighorn sheep were estimated to number nearly 1,200 in the U.S. and 4,500-7,800 in Baja California, according to the Bighorn Institute. Helicopter surveys from 2022 indicated that approximately 800 live in the U.S., while surveys of Mexico estimate the Baja California population at 2,000-2,500. The institute states that because there are more animals in Mexico than in the U.S., and the Mexican government has established a conservation program for managing Peninsular bighorn sheep, only the U.S. population is included in the endangered listing.
In 2019, at least 20 desert bighorn sheep died in a San Gorgonio mountain population due to pneumonia, most likely from domestic sheep or goats. Wildlife specialists were also examining other possible causes, including pathogens from feral cattle to the west and disease from a different bighorn group to the south.
Human disturbance has been a factor in the species' decline.
The Bighorn Institute states that some of the dangers they are exposed to at the urban-mountain area include automobile collisions, poisonous plants, high predator densities and parasites.
Between 1991 and 1996 in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains, the Bighorn Institute documented five sheep struck and killed by cars, five killed by ingesting poisonous ornamental plants and one strangled in a wire fence. During the six-year study, urbanization accounted for 34% of adult bighorn mortalities, making it the leading known cause of death for bighorn in this area.
Urbanization in their habitat also indirectly affects bighorn sheep by altering their habitat use, diet and behavior. Changes can also make the species more prone to parasites and disease, and potentially more vulnerable to predators.
Peninsular bighorn sheep are an endangered species and it is against the law to handle or harass them without proper permits, even if it is for the benefit of the sheep, the Bighorn Institute states.
In case of a bighorn sheep emergency, call the Bighorn Institute at 760-346-7334. If you are unable to reach the institute, call Erin Schaeffer with California Fish and Wildlife at 760-628-4022.
If you spot bighorn sheep on trails or elsewhere in public, the Bighorn Institute has a few tips:
Do not take dogs into bighorn sheep habitats because they are seen as dangerous predators and can cause them to flee from important feeding and watering sites
Minimize disturbance to bighorn sheep. The institute states alarming bighorn sheep can stress them, causing their heart rate and energy expenditure to increase
Avoid trail use in bighorn lambing areas during lambing season (January 1 through June 30)
Don't short-cut trails and create new impacts
Avoid camping or lingering next to riparian areas, springs or other water sources vital to desert wildlife, especially during drought conditions
Leave no trace on trails and respect all voluntary and mandatory trail closures
For more information, visit www.bighorninstitute.org.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Endangered bighorn sheep make visit to downtown Palm Springs
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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Fierce pride is at the core of the Chumash Museum, a worthwhile day trip from L.A.
For thousands of years, the Chumash people lived along California's Central Coast and on its Channel Islands. Then the newcomers arrived — Spanish explorers, Catholic missionaries, Mexican rancheros, California settlers — and the Chumash way of life was dismantled, their people enslaved and their traditions, culture and language forbidden. So it's hardly surprising that the main message at the new Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is as poignant as it is defiant: 'We are the first people. And we are still here.' The museum, which opened in May, sits on Highway 246 and Edison Street in tiny Santa Ynez, just across the road from Chumash Casino Resort operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 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Incorporating Solares' songs and stories makes the exhibits come alive. For instance, near the beginning of the permanent exhibit there is a cave-like room explaining the Chumash understanding of the universe, which is divided into three levels. The upper world is inhabited by celestial Sky People, such as Sun and Sky Coyote, whose peón gambling games affected the seasons for everything from harvesting acorns to hunting game. The dark, eerie lower world is dominated by two giant rattlesnakes whose writhings cause the ground in the middle world — our world — to shake. The phases of the moon? Those are caused by the way Slo'w, the Sky Eagle, stretches his wings. Thunder? The result of two brothers in the Upper World playing a rowdy stick game. Nearby, an alcove features a preserved California condor known as AC8, the last female in the wild who was taken into captivity in 1986 to become part of a breeding program to rebuild the critically endangered population of North America's largest land bird. In the exhibit, you must look up to see her, preserved as if in flight, her massive wings outstretched, while below is a miniature depiction of the local hills with a small gliding shadow of a condor in flight. Further on are hunting outfits made from deer and bear heads and skins, examples of traditional Chumash stick and gambling games, and stuffed animals for children that were — literally — dead, cuddly rabbits carefully preserved. There are exquisite medallions and hair ornaments made from iridescent abalone shells and strings of Chumash currency — tiny, doughnut-shaped beads created from carefully cut olivella shells. 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The landscape is constantly changing, said Megan Carey, the museum's collections and archives manager. 'One of my favorite things about the Culture Park is that you see something different, something blooming, every week.' The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is open Thursday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reserved-time tickets can be purchased online. Tickets are $15 for ages 18-64; $12 for ages 65 and older, teens 13-17, and military members with ID; $10 for ages 3-12; and free for toddlers 2 and younger. Tickets aren't sold past 4 p.m. Parking is free. The museum also has a well-stocked gift store near the parking lot, but for food, shopping and other excitement, you'll need to venture into the sometimes rustic, sometimes well-heeled town of Santa Ynez, where you'll find upscale clothing and furnishing stores that don't cater to tourists as much as the monied locals outfitting themselves and, perhaps, second or third homes. 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3 days ago
- CBS News
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Negative Points Passenger traffic in Mexico declined by nearly 2%, with international travel decreasing by 4.5%, impacting overall performance. The appreciation of the Mexican peso against the US dollar resulted in a foreign exchange loss of 1,200 million pesos, negatively affecting the bottom line. Total expenses increased by nearly 10% year-on-year, driven by a 12% increase in minimum wage and other cost pressures. The EBITDA margin slightly contracted to nearly 68% from 69% in the same quarter last year, primarily due to a decline in Mexico. The ramp-up of the new airport in Tulum continues to draw passengers away from Cancun Airport, contributing to the decline in international traffic. Q & A Highlights Q: What drove the sequential decline in non-aeronautical revenues, and how might the DOT situation with the US impact passenger traffic? A: The decline in non-aeronautical revenues was influenced by the exchange rate and a slight difference in passenger mix, particularly international versus domestic. Regarding the DOT situation, ASR does not expect a significant impact as the exposure to affected airlines is minimal. If capacity restrictions in Mexico City are lifted, it could positively impact passenger traffic. - Respondent: CEO Q: Is charter traffic still the primary type of traffic moving from Cancun to Tulum, or is there a shift towards commercial traffic? A: While there are some charter flights, most of the traffic moving to Tulum is commercial flights, primarily from the US. - Respondent: CEO Q: Can you provide clarity on the impact of FX on commercial revenues during the quarter? A: The FX impact on commercial revenues is related to the exchange rate and duty-free sales. The situation at Terminal 2 also contributed to softer non-aeronautical revenues in the second quarter compared to the first quarter. - Respondent: CEO Q: What should we expect for commercial revenues in the next two quarters, given the situation at Terminal 2? A: The situation at Terminal 2 is expected to persist for the next four quarters until the reconstruction and expansion of Terminal 1 is completed, which should alleviate the situation significantly. - Respondent: CEO Q: What is the outlook for Mexican traffic in the second half of 2025, and how does the FX impact affect commercial revenues? A: Domestic traffic is expected to improve as the engine issues have bottomed out. The FX impact on commercial revenues is due to the exchange rate and duty-free sales, with a softer performance in the second quarter compared to the first. - Respondent: CEO Q: What is the rationale behind the new debt, and how is ASR planning to deploy its high cash balance? A: The new debt is related to taxes and expenses at Cancun Airport. ASR aims to maintain a strong cash position to support dividend payments and future needs. - Respondent: CEO Q: How is international traffic performing in Puerto Rico and Colombia, and is this growth sustainable? A: International traffic in Puerto Rico is driven by events such as concerts, while in Colombia, it is primarily influenced by US traffic. The growth is expected to continue in the near term. - Respondent: CEO Q: What are the dynamics in smaller Mexican airports like Merida and Oaxaca, and what is the outlook? A: Each airport has its own dynamics. Merida is experiencing growth, while Oaxaca faces challenges due to public demonstrations. Overall, smaller airports have their unique situations affecting performance. - Respondent: CEO Q: How is the sargassum situation in the Caribbean affecting traffic, and what are the expectations for the second half of the year? A: The sargassum situation is challenging, particularly during the summer, which is a peak season. It may impact traffic, but the extent will depend on how the situation evolves. - Respondent: CEO Q: Are there any updates on inorganic growth opportunities, such as Bavaro Airport? A: The Bavaro Airport project is currently on hold due to legal processes. ASR is evaluating other opportunities but cannot comment further at this time. - Respondent: CEO For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 擷取數據時發生錯誤 登入存取你的投資組合 擷取數據時發生錯誤
