Dead lamb found at PGA West raising concerns for endangered species

A big horn lamb found dead in PGA West has many concerned with the growing number of deaths in this endangered species population.

Aimee Byard, associate director of the Bighorn Institute, said it’s becoming far too common.

“They have fallen into the canal and drowned. One’s been hit by a car, they’ve been eating oleander and dying. So there’s a lot of urban threats and reasons,” Byard said.

Byard said eight bighorn sheep died in the last few years, now she’s calling for action.

“Looking at the Rancho Mirage situation, where a fence has been a tremendous asset to that population, we feel a fence is a barrier that’s necessary to keep these sheep off the golf course and out of the urban areas and back in their natural habitat,” Byard said.

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments said plans for a barrier continue to be reviewed.

The proposed plan includes a 9 1/2 mile barrier along the mountain.

Annette McCormack lives in the La Quinta Cove and said she likes the idea of a fence.

“I would be all for a fence going up their for their protection. I think the city and the golf course can get together and share the cost,” McCormack said.

Others agree, saying it’s sad to hear these endangered species are dying before they even reach adulthood.

“That’s something you don’t want, but if the fence is something to keep that from happening, then by all means,” said Steve Tharp who lives in La Quinta.

Byard said it’s unfortunate it’s taken this long to move forward with a barrier.

“I think it’s being tied up in a political process and and that’s unfortunate because the animal is suffering,” Byard said.

And while she agrees it’s exciting to see these incredible animals, the golf course isn’t their home.

“When people say ‘I love the big horns, I love seeing them,’ it’s almost like they’re loving them to death because it’s in their best interest if we truly love them to get them back in their habitat,” Byard said.

CVAG said the environmental impact review should be complete by this summer.

At that time it will go back for public comment and those comments will be included when the plan is presented to the board in the fall.