There exists a disease called "m.Ovi" which is basically a pathogen that has devastated wild big horn sheep and mountain goats in the L48. Ongoing research suggests that co-mingling of domestic and wild herds may be the root cause for the presence in the L48 herds (perhaps!), although one should consider this particular pathogen an opportunistic one, that kills animals already stressed by other factors such as habitat loss, pre-existing disease, hunting pressure, drought, and scarcity of natural forage. So, the takeaway is that m.Ovi is generally considered to be the cause of the two species steep decline in the L48, particularly by the wildlife preservation groups, such as the WSF (Wild Sheep Foundation). A few years back, the Alaska sheep and goat owners were quite surprised by a suggested regulation (submitted by Kevin Kehoe of the WSF) to our own Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game, to remove sheep and goats from the clean list in Alaska.
See these blog posts for more information:
and more here:
Since that time, a working group was put together (which was supposed to equally be weighted between advocates (WSF, guides, etc) the state agencies, and producers, but ended up being majority WSF) to find solutions to the threat of m.Ovi to our marvelous wild sheep and goats. After a year and half of hard work by the Alaskan livestock owners, agreement was reached in principle for a variety of measures, to prevent contact between domestic and wild populations.
Yesterday, Mr. Kehoe decided to leave after a fancy presentation. He will take all his proposed regulations/rules direct to the legislature, without any input from the domestic owners. They are the same demands he made at the outset, and the WSF has millions of dollars in the bank to pay for lobbyists and to coerce state acceptance of their demands.
In short, the talks, meetings, concessions and working group itself, were nothing more than a stalling tactic for the benefit of WSF's political plan. Here's the kicker: Hunting statistics prove that the biggest threat to the wild populations of sheep and goats, are hunters themselves. Nearly 800 were taken 2017 alone.
This blog warned that the presence of m.Ovi would be confirmed in the wild herds and it was indeed proven to be present.
The WSF and Mr. Kehoe are not waiting for more testing, not waiting for solid science, and is not willing to accept accommodations from our beleaguered livestock owners-homesteaders, 4-H, hobbyists, ranchers and farmers, period. They have no inclination to work with anyone, least of all the state vet's office, the producers, or anyone else except their frightened base.
And how does this situation pose a threat to Alaska's food security?
While livestock production here is limited due to a number of factors, they still represent a significant portion of available food. There are more sheep and goats than cattle, and their numbers can be quickly increased should the need arise. There have been domestic sheep and goats here within the state of Alaska for over a century, with no disease die off of the wild populations, as is feared. If they are successful in eliminating domestic sheep and goat herds in Alaska, this will set a precedent to use in other areas.
Removing these historically beneficial species from Alaskan plates, does not and will never serve, to improve our food security.
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