Aoudads, also known as Barbary Sheep, are the only wild sheep in Africa.
They were brought to the U.S. in the early 1900s for exhibition in zoos and parks. They were quite successful at reproducing in captivity, resulting in excess animals. These excess sheep were used to establish populations on private and public lands in suitable habitat. Free-ranging populations currently exist in California, New Mexico and Texas.
While introduced populations in the U.S. and Spain are flourishing, their populations in Africa are declining due to hunting. Desert natives also take a toll on the population because it is an important source of meat. The hide, hair and sinews are also valuable in the desert economy.
The aoudad has a fringe of long, soft hair hanging from its throat and forequarters and has semicircular horns that curve outward, back, and then inward over the neck. Both fringe and horns are more pronounced in the male. Its eyes could be considered its most outstanding feature with horizontal pupils surrounded by brilliant yellow irises.
The aoudad is a very agile climber and jumper, and stays high in rocky terrain, resting in shade during the heat of the day, descending at night to forage in valleys and plains. While primarily a grazer, it browses also and will stand on two feet like goats when reaching for leaves, pods and fruit. They can withstand great temperature variations and scarce water. Generally they obtain needed moisture from their food and can go without water for about 5 days. |
