Dall`s Sheep

Ovis dalli dalli

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMALE04020
Common Name: 
Dall`s Sheep
Scientific Name: 
Ovis dalli dalli
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla
Family: 
Bovidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

2 to 3 years
References: 
R093

Longevity

Average 8 to 9 years, but can reach 14 to 16 years. Average age of harvested individuals in the NWT is 10 (H111).
References: 
P094

Economic/Human Considerations

trophy hunting, food, wildlife viewing (tourism), crafts (horn knives)
References: 
B001
Habitat
Summer = alpine tundra at high elevations, winter = lower slopes.
References: 
B001
H110
P094
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera
References: 
P094

Distribution

12% of the NWT.
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
P094

Number of Occurrences

DNA fingerprinting project with University of Alberta to identify 'populations' or herds in the Mackenzie Mountains (H111). Sheep in discrete mountain blocks can be treated as 'populations' but the DNA work will conclude (H111 citing Norm Simmons) Mackenzie is one population, Richardson is another.
References: 
H111

Historical Distribution

Dall's sheep distribution today is likely similar to the past.
References: 
H111

Area of Occupancy

Probably similar to distribution in the past.
Score: 
-
References: 
H111
H216
H297
H298
Population

Population Size

14,000-26,000 in Mackenzie Mountains (1998 estimate, no new estimate; H111). In Richardson Mountains less than 500 in 2014 (H297); was 700 in 2006 (R173), 1,500 in 1997 (H110; R172 ). So NWT total of 14,500 to 26,500.
Score: 
F = 1
References: 
H110
H111
R172
R173
H297

Density

Depending on quality of habitat, can range from 20 to 100 sheep per 100 sq.km. (R093), not usually over 55 per 100 sq km. Only get 100 per 100 sq km in areas like Kluane National Park (H110, H111)
References: 
H110
H111
Trends

Trends

Most likely in decline; deaths documented in north Mackenzie Mountains (late 1999) are troubling. Lungworm/pneumonia potentially kill large numbers quickly. A decline from 1,500 to 500 estimated in the Richardson Mountains (H126:H297). Thinhorn Sheep Summit study area in 2014 identified population declines and reduced recruitment across the range in the Mackenzie Mountains (H298).
Score: 
FG =
References: 
H111
H216
H297
H298
Threats

Threats

Disease (pneumonia-lungworm complex), human disturbance, slow to colonize new areas, potential over harvest (R093,P094). Should closely monitor effects of harvest when very age/sex selective (H111). Documented deaths due to lungworm-pneumonia for first time in 1999 (H111). Lots of aircraft disturbance near Norman Wells (H216). Harsh weather events and climate change are potential threats (H298).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
P094
H216
H298

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Exploration (sheep very sensitive to noise) (P094); pay close attention to southern range for oil and gas development (H110).
Score: 
-
References: 
P094
H216
H298
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S4
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 14, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Barichello N, Carey J, Jingfors K (1987) Population ecology, range use, and movement patterns of dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) in the northern Richardson Mountains. Yukon Department of Renewable Resources Northern Oil and Gas Action Program (NOGAP) Project G-14 RWED Library Call #QL737.U53B36 - R093 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch (2008) dall's sheep. e-mail to Nick Genereux (request for information) on 27 Oct. 2008 (attachements cited sep.) printed in binder - H216 Return
  • Davison, T. (2014) e copy - H297 Return
  • Heather Sayine-Crawford (2015) - H298 Return

Density

  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch (2008) dall's sheep. e-mail to Nick Genereux (request for information) on 27 Oct. 2008 (attachements cited sep.) printed in binder - H216 Return
  • Heather Sayine-Crawford (2015) - H298 Return

Longevity

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Population Size

Nagy J (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Inuvik - H110 Return
,
Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
,
ALASDAIR VEITCH, ELLEN SIMMONS, JAN ADAMCZEWSKI, RICHARD POPKO (1998) STATUS, HARVEST, AND CO-MANAGEMENT OF DALL'S SHEEP IN THE MACKENZIE MOUNTAINS, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. NORTHERN WILD SHEEP AND GOAT COUNCIL 11 copy with e-mail, and printout in binder - R172 Return
,
Lambert Catherine Koizumi (2006) Dall's sheep, grizzly bear, and wolf interactions in the Richardson Mountians. GRRB Summary report unpublished in e-mail and printed in binder - R173 Return
,
Davison, T. (2014) e copy - H297 Return

Range Extent

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch (2008) dall's sheep. e-mail to Nick Genereux (request for information) on 27 Oct. 2008 (attachements cited sep.) printed in binder - H216 Return
  • Davison, T. (2014) e copy - H297 Return
  • Heather Sayine-Crawford (2015) - H298 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1992) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Dall's Sheep of the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources 2nd Edition Personal Files - P094 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch (2008) dall's sheep. e-mail to Nick Genereux (request for information) on 27 Oct. 2008 (attachements cited sep.) printed in binder - H216 Return
  • Heather Sayine-Crawford (2015) - H298 Return