Yuma, Ariz. - The Arizona Game and Fish Department has launched a new Web page that provides information about ongoing activities intended to restore the desert bighorn sheep population on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona.  The Web address for the page is www.azgfd.gov/w_c/bhsheep/index.shtml.

For 50 years, the 435 square miles of Kofa desert bighorn sheep habitat has been a critical source of animals used to restore and sustain bighorn sheep populations throughout Arizona, as well as in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

The results of the last triennial population survey in 2006 revealed that the declining population noted during the 2003 survey had deteriorated to only 390 animals, the lowest number recorded under this survey program.  The resulting joint Department-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Investigative Report and Recommendations on the Kofa Bighorn Sheep Herd”, documented those agencies’ long-term commitment to restoring this resource.

“The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge has friends and fans all over the world,” said Gary Hovatter, public information officer in the Department’s Yuma office. “This website will be a place to find information, reference materials, and monthly program updates, and to provide those who love the Kofa a way to contribute their thoughts, suggestions, and photographs.”