ABS 2023
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Can Ewe Weather the Storm, Baby? The Impact of Environmental Conditions on Juvenile Bighorn Sheep�Condition�
Tanisha C. Henry, Cameron McArthur, Peter Neuhaus, Margaret M. Hughes, Nigel Caulkett, Luke Bistritz, Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl. University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

Environmental conditions can impact the well-being and survival of offspring. Previous studies on Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) have shown that aspects of weather and climate impact the survival of lambs to yearling age. Specifically, the quality and quantity of spring forage as well as spring temperatures impact lamb survival. Furthermore, snow cover decreases daily forage intake as individuals must often wade and paw through snow to access forage. Despite previous work, there is a paucity of research on how these factors might affect body condition and survival of lambs in concert. We investigated the extent to which birthdate, weather and climate impact early lamb survival and body condition in Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. Using a piece-wise structural equation model we assessed the effects of maternal age, birthdate, spring precipitation, snow melt, temperature and NDVI as well as winter snow cover, and snow depth on the body condition and survival of bighorn lambs over 20 years.