News Release

Wildlife Project Will Temporarily Close Remote Sections of the Park

Big Bend National Park is home to a small population of Desert Bighorn Sheep (left) and hundreds of Aoudad (right).

NPS

News Release Date: September 25, 2024

Contact: Tom VandenBerg - Information Officer, 432-477-1107

Contact: Thomas Athens - Wildlife Biologist, 432-477-1145

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS – On October 9-10, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue with measures to protect native desert bighorn sheep at Big Bend National Park, which includes reducing the population of non-native aoudads (Barbary sheep). 

The Mesa de Anguila will be closed October 9-10 while the NPS works with the Texas Parks and Wildlife to survey for bighorn sheep and remove aoudad using helicopters and staff trained in aerial shooting operations. Areas will be closed the evening before the survey and closure areas will reopen once the surveys are completed, so please follow posted closure signs for trailheads and roads. The Rio Grande and Santa Elena Canyon Trail will remain open. Please see the attached map for detailed closures and access information.

The Deadhorse Mountains and surrounding areas, including the Dagger Flat Road and Old Ore Road (see map), will also be surveyed for bighorn sheep and aoudads during this time. Areas will be closed the evening before the survey and closure areas will reopen once the surveys are completed, so please follow all posted closure signs for trailheads, roads, and campsites.

Barbary sheep are native to the dry mountains of Northern Africa, but now thrive within the rugged landscape of West Texas. Over the last 30 years, Barbary sheep have established a foothold within the park and their population has increased significantly in recent years, with hundreds now roaming the area.

Barbary sheep occupy the same habitats as the park's small population of native desert bighorn sheep and negatively impact the natural ecology of the park. Large groups of aoudad can prevent desert bighorn from accessing water, threaten biodiversity, and impair park visitors’ ability to experience natural conditions and scenery.

This effort is part of Big Bend's long-term, integrated approach to control exotic animals and protect park resources. Management of aoudad is in keeping with the Big Bend Exotic Animal Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, finalized in June 2018.

Map of closure area for the Mesa de Anguila area aoudad survey

NPS

Map of closure areas for Deadhorse Mountains area aoudad survey

NPS