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Nevada moves bighorn sheep as drought threatens state animal

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Nevada moves bighorn sheep as drought threatens state animal


VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK (KTNV) — Nevada is taking action to preserve its state animal, the Desert Bighorn Sheep, by relocating part of a herd based in Southern Nevada.

Geneva Zoltek spoke to state officials to understand how they are moving the sheep and the reasons behind the relocation.

Nevada moves bighorn sheep as drought threatens state animal

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The reason for the relocation is a lack of available food and water for the herd, with drought being the common denominator.

In just one year, dry conditions have significantly worsened across Nevada. While only a small area was abnormally dry in June 2024, now most of the state is experiencing all four levels of drought extremes.

“We had to take action,” said Joe Bennett, a specialist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

According to Bennett, since December, 122,000 gallons of water have been hauled to watering holes, or guzzlers, in Southern Nevada to support sheep hydration.

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“Some of these animals couldn’t leave these guzzlers. They couldn’t get more than a couple miles away because they needed that water,” Bennett said.

By reducing the herd size, the hope is that there will be more resources to go around to support the remaining herd.

“If 400 or 500 is the new norm? That’s still a very large sheep population that’s still a great success story,” Bennett said.

Through June 19, Bennett is working with dozens of team members and volunteers to safely relocate 150 sheep from Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area to three different release sites in Utah and northern Nevada.

“It’s a bunch of passionate people out here for a good cause,” Bennett said.

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This strategy of direct intervention comes as drought not only reduces available water but also available vegetation too — compounding as a complex threat to the species.

“The worst day of my career was flying over a guzzler in 2020 and seeing dead bighorn sheep. It was terrible, it was awful to see,” Bennett explained. “It’s our state animal. Everyone loves to see bighorn sheep, everybody loves to recreate with bighorn sheep, and it’s the state department’s responsibility to manage them appropriately.”

The relocation process involves a helicopter crew with a net gun facilitating the capture. Each animal is then lifted back to the base to get a physical before being transported via livestock truck to the new ranges.

“You know it’s a stressful event for them, and that’s why we have a variety of different options here to provide veterinary support to provide intervention if needed,” said Nate Lahue, NDOW’s wildlife veterinarian on site.

Lahue helps take vital signs and draw blood samples.

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“Our goal is to keep these animals as safe and healthy as possible,” he explained.

According to the Nevada Climate Initiative, drought is expected to increase in frequency and severity in the future due to higher temperatures, even if precipitation remains the same or increases slightly.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads

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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads


A string of deadly crashes in and around Pahrump has prompted Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill to push for more safety measures along dark, sidewalk-free roads.

“The worst penalty is death, if you consider that,” McGill said.

The recent deaths include a single-vehicle rollover on State Route 160 during the morning hours of the last Wednesday in January that killed one person and injured another.

Then, into February, two pedestrians were killed in less than three days.

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The first was a 7 p.m. crash on Quarter Horse Avenue. Investigators believe a 2006 Jeep Liberty was driving on the street when it hit a pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A few days later, this last Saturday, state troopers responded to a crash just after sundown at Charleston Park Avenue. A sedan hit a pedestrian, who was also pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nevada State Police investigators are still investigating both pedestrian cases before more details are released.

McGill said the recent crashes were enough to spur action.

“When the third one came out, I was sitting at home and watching TV. I looked at my wife and I said, ‘We got to do something about this,’” McGill said.

McGill is responding with a reflective vest giveaway, pointing to limited infrastructure as a possible factor. He noted a lack of street lights off State Route 160 and no sidewalks inside the community.

“The only light that you have is the ambient light from houses and cars so it is really dark,” McGill said.

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John Treanor of AAA Nevada said poor visibility can quickly turn dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

“It is very easy to be confronted with a situation that you cannot see coming because the visibility might be bad,” Treanor said.

Treanor encouraged pedestrians to carry lights and drivers to be prepared if they end up outside their vehicles in dark conditions.

“Having lights on you. Even carrying a flashlight allows something where a driver can see it,” Treanor said. “If you are a driver, make sure you have the right stuff in your car, in case you do get in a situation where you are on the side of the road and now you are in dark. Make sure you have a kit with some reflectors, some lights. Anything the trunk of your car in case you need it.”

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McGill said vigilance is important even in daylight.

“Any time of the day, you have got to be vigilant. You have to keep aware of your surroundings if you are a walker or on a bicycle or if you are the driver,” he said.

Authorities also urged caution as more people may pull off roads in rocky areas along the route toward Death Valley National Park during springtime blooms, increasing the need for drivers and pedestrians to stay alert.

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for $46 Million

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for  Million


A waterfront mansion on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe just sold for $46 million, less than three weeks after hitting the market. 

The speedy deal marks a departure from the typical U.S. market.

Nationwide, homes took a median 78 days to land a buyer in January, five more than the same time last year and the 22nd straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis, according to data from Realtor.com. 

Mansion Global Boutique: Book Lovers Rejoice: 8 Must-Haves To Build Your Perfect Reading Nook

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The lavish log cabin-like residence, in Incline Village, listed on Jan. 24 for $47.5 million. It sold 20 days later, on Feb. 13, listing records show. 

The more than 7,000-square-foot residence was built in 2014, and has double-height living spaces, walls of windows, beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and plenty of rustic exposed stone and wood, listing images show. 

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There’s also a gym, a wet bar, a spa, a wine room, an office, two separate game rooms, seven bedrooms and dramatic Lake Tahoe views. Outside, there’s a private sandy beach, multiple decks, a heated driveway and two exterior fireplaces, according to listing information. 

MORE: Visited by Kings and Larger Than Manhattan, Giant Scottish Estate Asks £67 Million

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The seller and the buyer are both limited liability companies, according to property records. Both parties were represented by Jeff Brown of Tahoe Mountain Realty, who declined to comment on the deal. 

The median home price in Incline Village was $1.595 million as of December, a fall of 3.3% from a year earlier, according to data from Realtor.com. Listings, meanwhile, spent an average of 130 days on the market. 



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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS

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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS