LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Nevada Department of Wildlife is urging visitors to Hemenway Park to keep their distance from bighorn sheep that frequent the area, warning that getting too close can be dangerous — particularly as mating season gets underway.
Bighorn sheep are a common sight at the park, especially during warmer months. Officials say some visitors are not following posted signs to maintain distance, putting both people and the animals at risk.
Stress signals and road dangers
Wildlife officials say sheep that appear accustomed to people are still wild animals, and certain behaviors indicate they are becoming stressed.
“They start picking up one hoof and then another,” said Doug Nielsen, Regional Conservation Education Supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. “Or they’ll flick their tail and let you know, hey, I’m getting nervous.”
Officials warn that when sheep are spooked, they may leave the park and enter nearby roadways.
“They end up on the highway close by or on one of the neighborhood roadways, which puts them in direct competition with vehicles for that road space,” Nielsen said. “And they’ll lose that.”
Some park-goers say they have already witnessed close calls. One visitor described seeing sheep run across roads while someone blasted a car horn at them.
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Mating season raises aggression concerns
Officials say mating season begins this month and runs through September, a period when rams can become more aggressive.
“The rams, the males, in order to win the affections of the females, will batter each other’s horns head-to-head,” Nielsen said. “They’re made for that. You and I are not. And so, what we can’t risk is having somebody get battered by a ram.”
Nielsen also cautioned that the sheep’s physical attributes make a close encounter hazardous at any time of year. “It wouldn’t take much to push one over the edge, and their hooves are sharp, their horns are hard, and they’re made to ram you or not,” he said. “If we ever got rammed or hit by sheep, we would be the losing party.”
Dogs prohibited, but rule not always followed
Boulder City has an ordinance prohibiting dogs at the park, even on a leash. Nielsen said the rule benefits both dogs and sheep.
“That particular park, Boulder City, has an ordinance that dogs are not permitted, not even on a leash,” Nielsen said. “And that’s really good for the dog as well as for the sheep.”
Despite the rule, dogs are still occasionally spotted in the area. One local visitor said some dog owners appear to walk through the park without stopping.
What officials are asking of visitors
The Nevada Department of Wildlife is warning people to avoid touching the sheep and to allow the animals access to shade — particularly near the two large trees in the park. Officials noted there are other places for people to cool off, including under man-made gazebos.
Locals say the posted signs are visible, though some acknowledged it is possible visitors may not have read them before arriving. Most said park-goers are generally respectful of the animals.
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