Cardiac responses of bighorn sheep to trapping and radio instrumentation

Abstract

Heart rates of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) were recorded during trapping, handling, and immediately following release of animals with electrocardiogram transmitters. Sustained tachycardia, lasting an average of 117.4 min, was demonstrated in four adult ewes and one 3-year-old ram following trapping and radio instrumentation. Cardiac recovery time of released sheep averaged 10.6 × the maximum recovery time recorded for any disturbance to which these animals were subsequently exposed. The utility of electrocardiogram telemetry in evaluating physiological stress during wildlife capture and marking operations is discussed.