Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for the Peninsular Ranges Population Segment of the Desert Bighorn Sheep in Southern California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines the distinct vertebrate population segment of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) (Peninsular bighorn sheep) occupying the Peninsular Ranges of southern California, to be an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act). The Service originally proposed to list the Peninsular bighorn sheep throughout its range, which extends into Baja California, Mexico. However, because new information received during the comment periods indicated listing bighorn sheep populations in Baja California is not warranted, the final listing determination includes only the Peninsular bighorn sheep population segment in the United States. The synergistic effects of disease; low recruitment; habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation; non-adaptive behavioral responses associated with residential and commercial development; and high predation rates coinciding with low bighorn sheep population numbers threaten the continued existence of these animals in southern California. This rule implements Federal protection and recovery provisions of the Act for the Peninsular bighorn sheep. Critical habitat is not being designated.