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Location:

Desert Lives Trail

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Updated as of 4/2/2024

Main Butte (this is subject to change): 

  • Rocky (M) 2/6/2008

  • Tula (F) (means Peak in Choctaw) 3/24/09

  • Talia ("Lamb" in Hebrew) (F) 3/30/2010

  • Mija (pronounced mee-ha; Mi Hija is "My Daughter" in Spanish) (F) 4/18/2011

  • Shawnee (F) 4/18/2013

  • Chami (F) 4/26/2010

  • Athena (F) 4/29/2014

  • Blossom (F) 4/25/2015

  • Miramar (F) 4/23/2016

  • Syrena (F) 2/13/23

  • Poppet (F) 3/19/23

  • Elizabeth (F) 3/29/23

  • Harper (F) 5/11/22

  • Juniper (F) 5/14/22


Back Butte

  • Barbossa (M) 3/30/21

  • Gibbs (M) 4/9/21

  • Capt Jack Sparrow (M) dob Spring 2019

Identifying Features:

Main Butte:  

  • Rocky - yellow tag, right ear

  • Tula - yellow tag 118, left ear

  • Talia - red tag, left ear; broken left horn tip

  • Mija 

  • Shawnee 

  • Chami - green tag 124, right ear

  • Athena - yellow tag 123, left ear 

  • Blossom 

  • Miramar 

  • Syrena - pink tag 109, left ear

  • Poppet 

  • Elizabeth 

  • Harper 

  • Juniper 


Back Butte

  • Barbossa - blue tag, right ear

  • Gibbs - green tag, right ear

  • Capt Jack Sparrow 

History:

  • Captain Jack Sparrow was wild caught by Arizona Game and Fish Department. This greatly enhances the genetics of managed bighorn sheep in AZA.

  • He was a yearling when he arrived at the Phoenix Zoo.

  • We have had a total on 7 babies born in 2023, including a rare set of twins!

  • Two new arrivals from San Diego Safari Park:   Juniper & Harper - half sisters, ~1.5 years old

  • Joshua (M) 1/23/2007 - passed away Jan 2025. Joshua was born at the Phoenix zoo and was nearly 18 years old. He was a long-time and well-love member or our bighorn herd.

  • Diego (M) passed away April 2025. Diego was born at the Phx zoo in 2008 and was a longtime resident of our herd. He was mostly shy, with a little courage a times. He preferred to stand back and watch. He was the "quiet one."


More Information:

  • Lifespan - 15 years or more in captivity

  • IUCN: Least Concern

  • Split hooves aid in balance when climbing

  • Rough soles provide better grip

  • Horizontal pupils allow for increased depth perception

  • Male horns begin to curl at about 8 years of age

Fun Facts

  • Known for head-to-head combat between males

  • Combat between rams have been observed lasting longer than 24 hours

  • Horn size is symbolic of rank. Male horns can weigh as much as 30lbs

  • Do not require drinking water in the winter when vegetation is available. During the summer they visit waterholes every 3 days

  • Complex 9-stage digestive process that allows them to extract maximum nutrients from diet

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