Bighorns killed after mingling with domestic sheep

State wildlife officials killed two bighorn sheep southeast of Big Timber after the yearling lambs came in close contact with domestic sheep. Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists worried the lambs could carry disease from the domestic animals back to the wild herd. Biologist Justin Paugh of Big Timber says a rancher saw the bighorn sheep in his herd and contacted the department. After confirming the animals had been in close contact, the bighorns were shot Monday evening and their carcasses taken to the FWP laboratory in Bozeman. The agency says wild sheep cannot fend off some diseases carried by domestic sheep, any potential infections could affect an entire herd. AP