By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Daren Sefcik

June 1, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – The 47^th annual Anza Borrego bighorn sheep count is set for  June 29^th through July 1^st,  with a mandatory orientation on June 17^th for all new counters and recommended for those who participated in the past.   The count will go on despite the death of its long-time leader, Ranger Steve Bier. 

“We were unable to find the master sheep count mailing list,”  states a letter from Anza Borrego Desert State Park Superintendent Kathy Dice and volunteer Sheep County Coordinator Mark Jorgensen, who are organizing a new sheep counting team. If you know of counters,  please forward their contact information to AB.Sheepcount@parks.ca.gov.

By Miriam Raftery; photo by Daren Sefcik

July 17, 2013 (Borrego) – The 43^rd annual sheep count in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was completed July 5-7.

“This year we tallied 332 bighorn, which replaces the 2011 count as the second largest tally in sheep count history at Anza-Borrego,” states a letter to volunteers from coordinators Steve Bier and Mark C. Jorgensen. 

The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though.  The count did not include some portions of the park where populations may be under the most stress—and at least two dead sheep were found during the count due to apparent dehydration.