220 sheep killed by lightning strike in Gravelly Mountains
Carcass disposal teams in Madison and Beaverhead counties mobilized to dispose of the sheep before they could attract predators
Sometime around Aug. 23, Heart of the Rockies Initiative carnivore conflict reduction manager Steve Primm says a lightning strike killed 220 sheep in the Gravelly Mountains. The sheep were part of the Helle Rambouillet Ranch, a fourth generation wool producing ranch that traces its history back to the 1930s. The catastrophic event launched the two Madison County carcass disposal sites into action.
"When a catastrophic livestock loss like this one in the Gravellies happens, partners come together to help sort things out,” said Primm. “We're fortunate that local leaders developed these livestock carcass programs so that we had the equipment to deal with a major mortality event, and a secure place for the carcasses to end up."
Linda Owens of the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group and Bill Flynn of the Ruby Valley Conservation District operate the two carcass disposal facilities and according to Primm, they sprung into action to ensure that the disaster did not draw predators to the area where other sheep herders and recreationists would be endangered.
The sheep were transported to livestock composting sites south of Sheridan and near Norris where they are kept behind predator deterrent electric fences.
The livestock carcass management programs are part of a network of locally-led efforts to reduce carnivore conflicts with agriculture across western Montana according to Primm. They receive funding from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and have received grants from the America the Beautiful grant administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The programs have existed for about eight years according to Primm with the goal of reducing predator conflicts and protecting water quality.
Peak season for the carcass management programs usually coincides with the calving season for ranchers, but the programs operate year-round. According to Primm, a typical carcass run would be for a dead horse, cattle or sheep within a couple miles of the highway. The state Livestock Loss Board helped the Sheridan site by matching a grant provided by Missoula’s Vital Ground Foundation that was used to purchase a new dump trailer.
It is unclear if the Helle Rambouillet Ranch will receive compensation for their loss at press time.
