Santa Cruz Island cut feral sheep from 21,500 to under 100, then saved 12 lambs

In 1980, conservationists began an ambitious ecological restoration programme on Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of Southern California. The main goal was to remove tens of thousands of feral sheep whose uncontrolled grazing was damaging native plants and threatening wildlife habitats. Over the next seven years, organised eradication efforts dramatically changed the island’s landscape. According to historical records from The Livestock Conservancy and information documented in Wikipedia’s Santa Cruz sheep entry, the feral population fell from about 21,500 to fewer than 100 animals by 1987. With a genetically distinct heritage breed close to extinction, conservationists launched a rescue mission, capturing 12 lambs to save the breed on the American mainland.A centuries-long presence on the islandDomestic sheep were first brought to Santa Cruz Island in the mid-19th century. Historical information from Islapedia shows that livestock operations were established around 1851 under Spanish and American ranch managers.