Higher Calling Wildlife®, an outreach initiative by Children’s Kingdom Ministries, founded by wildlife journalist Chester Moore, is set to embark on an impactful expedition for the sake of children and wildlife in Colorado.
From June 24-28, children facing significant challenges, such as critical illness and traumatic loss, will have the opportunity to engage in wildlife photography, capturing the beauty of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and other wildlife such as elk, moose, marmots, mule deer and wild turkeys.
This initiative, known as the “I Love Ewe” Expedition, aims to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, especially the critical role of bighorn ewes and lambs in the ecosystem.
“The number one threat to bighorn sheep is disease that is transferred through contact with domestic and exotic sheep and goats. We will be emphasizing photography of ewes and lambs to show their beauty and to let people know the lambs in particular are hit hard when disease hits a herd,” Moore said.
“Plus, with the name play of the project we wanted the young people we are working with to know they are loved and valued.”
The “I Love Ewe” Expedition is designed to inspire and educate children who face unique life challenges, showing them that great things can still happen in their lives. Participants will be mentored in photography, learning to use this powerful medium to promote conservation awareness.
The photos taken by these young photographers will be featured in the 2024 edition of Higher Calling Wildlife® magazine, shining a light on conservation and the resilience of these children.
“Our goal is to empower these children, helping them to see that despite their challenges, they have the ability to make a significant impact. By using photography to tell the story of the bighorn sheep, they are contributing to a greater cause and learning valuable skills that can inspire others,” Moore said.
Higher Calling Wildlife® invites the community to support and follow the journey of these young conservationists as they embark on this transformative adventure through the outreach’s Facebook page.
“Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these children and the future of our wildlife,” Moore said.
As a heavy rainstorm cleared away from the rocky landscape, the hillsides came to life.
Birds sounded in the distance as a light wind blew through the falling leaves, creating a sense of expectancy that is so familiar and exciting to hunters.
The sounds of hooves pounding rock echoed below me and soon after an Armenian mouflon ewe came running out of a small cluster of trees. Behind her was a massive ram with heart-shaped horns that swept farther back than typical mouflon horns, but looked equally impressive.
The beautiful white saddle patch highlighted a formidable frame on what is one of the world’s smallest wild sheep. However, they lack nothing in the beauty and strength department.
Listen to the two-part series on the full breeding program at the FTW Ranch at the links below on Higher Calling Wildlife the podcast.
This wasn’t in the Caucasus Mountains of the species’ native Azerbaijan, but at the FTW Ranch located near Barksdale, Texas in the southwestern corner of the Edwards Plateau.
Nestled at an elevation as high as 2,200 feet, this 12,000-acre ranch is stunningly beautiful and is widely known for its SAAM Hunter Training Program.
The FTW was founded in 1996 and according to owner Tim Fallon is dedicated to making hunters better, supporting our nation’s military, and preserving endangered species from around the world.
“Hunters have been at the forefront of conservation efforts all around the world,” Fallon said. “From the comeback of elk, bighorn sheep, and wild turkeys in America to restoring and conserving much of Africa’s great game herds, hunters have been leading the charge.”
So, instead of only offering standard exotic hunts at the FTW Ranch, Fallon said he wanted to “pay it forward.”
“There are species that are no longer huntable in their native lands because they are threatened or hunting is not allowed in those countries for various reasons. We wanted to create viable herds of these animals here in America and allow hunters an opportunity to pursue them, but most importantly make sure these species carry on.”
Chester Moore
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Deer massacres tied to poaching rings are happening in multiple states, yet they have had very little media attention.
The most concerning part is these massacres have been linked to teenagers. In a very special episode of Dark Outdoors, I dig into what I have been calling the teen poaching crisis.
I would love to hear your feedback on this poaching issue once you listen to the episode.
*What are your thoughts on the teen poaching issues I have identified?
*Is there an uptick in poaching where you live?
*Have you heard of these poaching incidents, in particular the deer massacres?
I have hunted my whole life. Hunting is conservation when done within legal standards but poaching is terrible. We need to do our best to address it especially as it pertains to our youth.
Designer Cats In The Wild
We get lots of reports of unusual cat spotted throughout the wilds of North America.
As I have written here before, I have discovered many of these are hybrid or designer cats. I go in-depth on this in the latest episode of Higher Calling Wildlife-the podcast.
The American bison, often referred to as buffalo, is an iconic symbol of the American West.
However, its history in the eastern United States is a lesser-known tale of perseverance, decline, and occasional surprises. While the western plains are more commonly associated with these majestic creatures, bison once roamed freely across much of the eastern United States, including the southern regions.
Native American Connection
Long before European settlers arrived in North America, bison were an integral part of the lives and cultures of indigenous peoples across the eastern United States. Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Creek, relied on bison for food, clothing, tools, and spiritual significance. Bison hunting was a communal activity that played a vital role in the survival and sustenance of these tribes.
Eastern Bison Range
Historically, bison had a vast range that extended far beyond the Great Plains. In the eastern United States, bison populations could be found as far north as New York and as far south as Florida. Their habitats included grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands.
European Colonization and Bison Decline
The arrival of European settlers in the eastern United States marked the beginning of the decline of bison populations in the region. As settlers expanded westward, bison were hunted for their hides, meat, and bones. The construction of railways and the proliferation of firearms made it easier to hunt bison, resulting in a significant population decline. By the early 1800s, bison in the eastern United States had become increasingly rare.
Bison in the South
While bison populations in the southern regions of the eastern United States faced pressures from hunting and habitat loss like their northern counterparts, some areas managed to sustain small populations of these magnificent creatures. The southern range of bison included parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Here, the bison found refuge in remote and less populated areas, often in rugged terrain that discouraged human settlement.Bison in Florida
Bison in Florida
One of the most surprising aspects of bison history in the eastern United States is their presence in the state of Florida. Bison sightings in Florida have been documented, and historical records confirm their existence in the state. These records often describe encounters between explorers, settlers, and indigenous people with bison herds in Florida’s wilderness.
One of the most well-documented accounts of bison in Florida comes from explorer William Bartram, who traveled through the southeastern United States in the late 18th century. In his book “Bartram’s Travels,” he mentions encountering bison in the vicinity of Paynes Prairie, near present-day Gainesville, Florida. He described the bison as “wild cattle” and recounted their impressive size and appearance.
Other historical records and diaries of early settlers in Florida also mention bison sightings, suggesting that these animals were not only present but at times relatively common in certain areas of the state. However, by the mid-19th century, these records became increasingly scarce as bison populations continued to dwindle.
Conservation Efforts
As bison populations across the United States neared the brink of extinction in the late 19th century, concerted conservation efforts were undertaken to save these iconic animals. The American Bison Society, founded in 1905, played a pivotal role in breeding and protecting bison herds. Bison from the western plains were used to bolster existing populations, and many of these efforts focused on western states.
While the conservation focus was primarily on the western plains, some efforts were also made to reintroduce bison to parts of the eastern United States, including the southern regions. Private landowners and conservation organizations worked together to establish small bison herds in states like Kentucky and Tennessee.
Present-Day Eastern Bison Populations
Today, bison have made a remarkable comeback in parts of the eastern United States, although their numbers remain relatively small compared to their western counterparts. Bison ranches and conservation areas in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi now provide opportunities for people to observe and learn about these incredible creatures in a natural setting.
The history of bison in the eastern United States, with a special emphasis on their presence in the southern regions and Florida, is a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in American natural history. These majestic animals, once roaming freely across the eastern landscapes, played a significant role in the lives of indigenous peoples and early settlers. Despite the pressures of European colonization, hunting, and habitat loss, some bison populations persisted in remote corners of the South.
While bison in the eastern United States are no longer as numerous as they once were, they have not been forgotten. Conservation efforts have led to their gradual return, allowing people to reconnect with this iconic symbol of America’s past and appreciate the resilience of nature.
The presence of bison in Florida, as documented in historical records, serves as a reminder of the extraordinary stories that can be uncovered when we explore the rich natural history of our nation.
Chester Moore
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The Mexican grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, was once a formidable symbol of North American wilderness, ranging from the southern United States to Mexico.
A subspecies of the iconic North American grizzly bear, the Mexican grizzly was a majestic creature that played a vital role in the ecosystems it inhabited. Sadly, the story of the Mexican grizzly is one of decline and eventual extinction. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Mexican grizzly bear, highlighting its last known populations in Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Historical Range
The Mexican grizzly bear was once found in a vast range, spanning from the southwestern United States down into Mexico. This subspecies inhabited a diverse range of ecosystems, from deserts and grasslands to mountainous regions. In the United States, its range extended into Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Last Known Grizzlies in Texas
The Mexican grizzly bear was once a resident of Texas, but its numbers dwindled rapidly in the 19th century due to habitat loss and overhunting. By the early 1900s, the Mexican grizzly had been extirpated from the state, marking the end of its presence in Texas. The last known grizzly in Texas was shot in 1890 near Guadalupe Peak in the Guadalupe Mountains.
Mexico’s Last Grizzly Bears
Mexico was home to a significant population of Mexican grizzlies, but like their northern counterparts, these bears faced relentless pressure from habitat destruction and hunting. By the mid-20th century, the Mexican grizzly population had dwindled to near extinction levels. In the early 1960s, the Mexican government made a last-ditch effort to save the subspecies by launching a campaign to protect them. Sadly, this came too late, as the last confirmed Mexican grizzly bear was killed in 1964 in the state of Chihuahua. Despite this, there have been unconfirmed reports of sightings in remote areas, giving a glimmer of hope that some individuals may still exist in Mexico.
New Mexico’s Lost Grizzlies
New Mexico, with its diverse landscapes, was once part of the Mexican grizzly’s range. These bears inhabited the state’s mountains, plateaus, and forests. However, by the late 19th century, the Mexican grizzly had been eradicated from New Mexico. The last confirmed sighting in the state occurred in 1922 when a hunter shot a Mexican grizzly in the Gila Wilderness. Conservationists and researchers have since made efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears to the state, but these efforts have focused on other subspecies.
Colorado’s Extinct Grizzlies
Colorado, with its rugged Rocky Mountains and pristine wilderness, was once home to the Mexican grizzly bear. These bears roamed the high-altitude regions, feasting on a variety of natural foods such as berries and elk. However, by the late 19th century, the Mexican grizzly had vanished from Colorado. The last confirmed sighting of a Mexican grizzly in Colorado was in 1952 when a hunter shot one near Pagosa Springs.
The Causes of Extinction
The decline and eventual extinction of the Mexican grizzly bear can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, habitat destruction played a significant role. As settlers moved westward, they transformed the wilderness into farmland, towns, and cities, drastically reducing the bear’s natural habitat. Additionally, unregulated hunting for sport and killing to protect livestock further decimated the population.
Bounties were offered for their eradication. Combined with these pressures, the bear’s slow reproductive rate made it particularly vulnerable to population declines.
I’ve always been interested in this creature’s story and think it’s good to reflect on wildlife management mistakes of the past so we don’t make them in the future.
Black Bobcats
The latest in our series on black panthers takes a look at the rare but proven black bobcats.
Chester Moore
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Ever caught a southern flounder that has golden spots?
Chris Dial did just that during the early days of my Flounder Revolution project. And it was not the only one we came across that had this unusual coloration. Check out Chris’ amazing catch.
A flounder with golden spots? Crazy, huh?
What about a double brown flatfish?
The typical specimen is brown on the top and white on the bottom but this one caught by Lake Calasieu guide Capt. Kevin Broussard is brown on both sides.
Cool, huh?
Flounder Revolution Hits Year 15!
The catch-and-release conservation project founded by yours truly has reached its 15th year.
In total the program has had more than 2,000 flounder measuring 20 inches or more caught, photographed and released.
The program began with a monthly competition for a flounder replica. The angler with the biggest released fish that month earned a replica.
In 2020, it switched to challenge tokens to recognize more anglers.
We’re sending out challenge tokens for anglers who have released flounder measuring 20 inches or more.
CCA-Texas sponsored us back in the original format of the program from 2009-2014 and they came back to help us with our tokens.
Flounder Revolution has also given out more than 100 First Flounder tokens to kids catching their first flatfish.
The response to that has been so cool to see. And the wooden tokens we’re giving out are a hit with the kids.
“I know it’s just a little wooden coin but my girl loves it! Learned that we had to let the big one go so it could have babies. Thanks again,” said angler and proud father Brandon Schilter.
If you would like to earn a challeng token, email me photos of your flounder measuring 20 inches or more.
E-mail photos, length and general location of catch (Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake, etc.) along with your mailing address to chester@chestermoore.com.
Feral Monkeys In America
Did you know there are several populations of feral monkeys in America? Check out the latest episode of Higher Calling Wildlife about this overlooked story. We also ponder the possibility of feral apes like orangutans in The Everglades.
Since I was a little boy clipping photos of my favorite game animals out of outdoors magazines and placing them in a scrapbook, these majestic animals have captivated me.
They are also a pillar of our conservation awareness and youth outreach here at Higher Calling Wildlife®.
Last year I had the privilege to teach a lesson how to become a conservationist at their annual Camp Bighorn and was bestowed the incredible honor of being named their 2023 “Bighorn Educator of the Year”.
T/hat means I had two occasions to visit the facility and was blown away.
Their mission is to provide education and outreach for the national conservation of wild sheep, wildlife and wild lands and they do an incredible job.
Through their aforementioned Camp Bighorn, educational outreach, ecotours and webinars they reach thousands annually with a pro sheep conservation message.
The facility itself is beautiful and has museum quality taxidermy displays that are sure to captivate the many young and young at heart in the communiy and that stop by on their way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
As a kid I would drive my mom crazy to bring me to a local meat market that had a large taxidermy collection.
Now imagine the impact when such a collection is aimed toward conservation awareness.
This place would have boggled my mind as a kid.
As a man it inspires me and I want to take the time to honor them for their great work and turn you on to their facility, website and outreach.
Check it out. You will not be dissappointed.
National Bighorn Sheep Center.
Chester Moore
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“Hey Chester, you’ve got to check out what I got on my game camera.”
An old Little League teammate approached me in a grocery store with a big smile on his face and an amazing photo.
A few minutes earlier, a five-by-five bull elk in velvet walked across his Moultrie Mobile Cam, which sent the picture to his phone.
“There are a fair number of elk around the lease that escaped a few years ago from a high-fenced ranch. The lease rule is we do a drawing for one bull a year and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime draw. We’re trying to manage them so their herds will increase,” he said.
That photo, along with others he showed me of other elk on the lease confirmed what I had known about this area, that had both elk and a few red stags reported over about a 10-year period.
Check out our latest episode of Higher Calling Wildlife about this topic.
Chances are these elk will all get killed. But with more conservation-minded hunters in the woods than ever, it’s possible a small population could thrive.
I recently came across an incredible study by Richardson B. Gill, Christopher Gill, Reeda Peel, and Javier Vasquez.
It goes deeply into historical accounts of elk in the Lone Star State and as the study shows, elk were not limited to theTrans Pecos.
The earliest recorded sighting of elk in Texas occurred in 1601 according to the authors. The Spanish governor of New Mexico, don Juan de Oñate, embarked on an exploration of lands to the northeast of Santa Fe.
“This river [the Canadian] is thickly covered on all sides with these cattle [bison] and with another not less wonderful, consisting of deer which are as large as large horses. They travel in droves of two and three hundred and their deformity causes one to wonder whether they are deer or some other animal.”
Translation: Elk.
In 1772, French captain Athanase de Mézières reported elk by calling them red deer (the elk’s close European cousin) between modern day Nacogodches and the Sabine River.
“This very large province can compete with the most fertile and productive. It produces in abundance beans, maize, large and small stock,buffalo, deer, red deer, wild goats, turkeys, wild hogs, partridges,hares, rabbits, and other species of both quadrupeds and birds, which has served us in this long journey for recreations as well as for sustenance.”
There are many, many more historical accounts in their study but just as fascinating is the DNA evidence they show of today’s free-ranging Texas elk origins.
“DNA research indicates that today’s free-ranging elk in the Davis and Glass mountains are the result of the natural immigration of elk from the Lincoln National Forest of New Mexico, just north of the Texas border, to recolonize areas of their former native range in the Trans-Pecos. The evidence presented substantiates the presence of native elk throughout Texas prior to their extirpation in the 20th century…”
Early this morning I received a text from Kati Krouse from the Texas Black Bear Alliance and Bears Etc. about an alleged bear roadkill in Jefferson County.
A member of a jeep group on Facebook shared a photo of a fairly mangled black animal hit near the tank farms between Port Neches and Beaumont.
Kati wanted to know if I could go check out the situation since I only live 20 minutes away.
So, I took care of a few things at home and drove over to the area.
It took me a couple of passes but I eventually found a dead animal in some taller grass.
Walking up to the carcass I wasn’t sure what I was looking at but upon further inspection I concluded it was a dog. The photo below is what i looked like when I walked upon it. It had obviously been hit again or chewed on by scavengers since the photo shown on Facebook was taken.
There was no tail visible at first but when I moved the back side, there was a long tail tucked under the body so I pulled it out to photograph. I put this shot in there so you could see tail and also that it was in the area of the tank farms. Black bears technically have tails but they are 3-5-inches long. This tail was at least four times that length.
Here’s another shot so you can see the clear dog foot pad.
Here’s another shot of the feet.
I don’t slight someone for misidentifying a mangled animal road-killed at night. It happens and I don’t think anyone here had intentions of misleading people.
Is it possible there was another animal road-killed there that was already confiscated by wildlife officials or that I didn’t see? Yes, but it’s highly unlikley.
What I saw was a dog with a few bear-like features .
But it brings up the greater point that black bears are returning to Texas in a big way.
On a recent episode of the Higher Calling Wildlife podcast, I talk about a bear that was photographed over a decade ago near Bay City and the amazing journey it would have taken to make it there from known bear migration routes.
And I also ask if there could be small but relatively hidden bear populations along the coast.
If you have any photos or videos of bears anywhere in Texas or in Louisiana email me at chester@chestermoore.com.
I would love to share it to raise awareness to the issue.
Speaking of awareness raising, Kati Krouse is doing a talk on black bears in Texas for the Golden Triangle Audubon Society March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Arboretum.
Onto the next investigation…
Chester Moore
Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show
Mark your calendars for the Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show. Connect with everything from new boats to fish equipment and guided fishing trips. Check it out at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino March 22-24.
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The dingy waters of Cow Bayou wind through the southernmost reaches of the Pinewoods and empty into the coastal marsh near the mouth of Sabine Lake.
The upper reaches north of FM 105 are lined with hulking cypress trees and are a favorite destination of locals running trotlines for channel cats and the occasional bass fishermen
Yet somehow in 2014, a pair of bottlenose dolphins found their way into this area.
One was tragically killed by poachers and the other, a younger male, got disillusioned and found itself unable to find its way back to more saline waters. Eventually too much exposure to fresh water will kill dolphins.
A crew from the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Sea World San Antonio, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and NOAA rescued that dolphin.
After deemed releasable, the dolphin was brought to Sea Rim State Park and put into the surf.
“It’s an incredible feeling to get to release a dolphin like that. Once the designation is given to us that an animal can be released we are always relieved because that is certainly the option we desire,” said Chris Bellows former VP of Zoological Operations at Sea World San Antonio who served at the time of this release.
But some dolphins are not able to be released.
“When a dolphin or any marine mammal has been rescued by a federally authorized organization the first goal is to get that animal back out to the wild. Sometimes that can’t happen. NOAA receives information from veterinarians and care givers and if the recommendation is to provide long term care NOAA makes that decision,” Bellows said.
“Once the decision has been made to care for an animal for the rest of its life the goal is to place it at a facility with like species. NOAA sends out a questionnaire to these facilities asking if they would be willing to care for the animal. They also check to make sure certain criteria is met. At SeaWorld San Antonio we currently have five dolphins that were placed with us by NOAA. Our goal is always to get the animals back out to the wild but we will provide a home for those that can’t be returned.”
Me and my wife Lisa got to meet several of these amazing animals and were blown away by the level of care and attention given them.
While visiting Sea World San Antonio we also learned of a manatee that ended up in a power plant canal in Trinity Bay. Coastal fishermen frequently see dolphins but very few have seen manatees on the Texas coast although they seem to be moving into the state with greater frequency.
The truth is Gulf waters are rich in marine mammals and although many of them are rarely seen by the public their conservation is important to the overall health of the Gulf ecosystem.
According to NOAA there are 28 different species of marine mammals known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico. All 28 species are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and six are also listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (sperm, sei, fin, blue, humpback and North Atlantic right whales).
Of the six ESA-listed whales, only endangered sperm whales are considered to commonly occur. There according to NOAA a resident population of female sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico, and whales with calves are sighted frequently.
Cuvier’s beaked whales are elusive and rarely seen at the surface, which is why their population status is unknown. These whales vary in coloration from rusty-brown, dark gray, or tan. They prefer deep water, avoid shallow coastal areas, and are known to travel in groups of two to seven.
Bottlenose dolphins inhabit the Gulf of Mexico year- round. They are blue-gray with lighter sides and bellies and have a robust body and head. This species is the most commonly observed dolphin in nearshore waters, and travel alone or in groups up to 20. These are the dolphins seen around ferries and in our bay systems.
The author photographed this pink albino dolphin in 2012
Atlantic spotted dolphins prefer tropical to warm-temperate waters over the continental shelf, edge, and upper reaches of the slope. These dolphins have variable spotting. They are very active at the surface and often breach while feeding. Group size is usually between 5-15.
Risso’s dolphins are typically found around the continental shelf edge and steep upper sections of the slope. They are light gray and often exhibit extensive scarring. These dolphins travel alone or in groups of up to 100 and may be observed with other species.
No one enters these animals domain more than fishermen and in many cases anglers have helped locate and monitor injured marine mammals.
Anglers have been at the forefront of the conservation world with groups like the Coastal Conservation Association working heavy with sport fish and habitat but have also been very interested in aiding all aquatic species.
Marine mammals are some of the most interesting creatures in the world and if we open our eyes and pay just a little more attention we might just come across a rarity or get a big surprise.
I will never forget the first time I saw a pink albino dolphin near Lake Calctsieu in Louisiana and saw a beaked whale while fishing 80 miles offshore in a party boat out of Galveston. It’s our duty to makes sure these creatures can thrive in the waters that we know and love.
Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show
Mark your calendars for the Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show. Connect with everything from new boats to fish equipment and guided fishing trips. Check it out at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino March 22-24.
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A Montana man has been charged with trafficking and conspiracy under federal law for cloning a Marco Polo sheep as well as breeding and selling its offspring and DNA across several states.
The defendant, Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, entered into a plea agreement with federal officials for one count of Lacey Act trafficking and one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act.
According to Forest Legality, the Lacey Act, initially enacted in 1900, is a United States law that bans the trafficking of fish, wildlife, or plants that are illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold.
Schbarth and five others, who federal officials labeled in court documents as Persons A-E, were allegedly involved in various activities. Three are from Texas, one from Montana, and another from Minnesota.
The cloned Marco Polo Sheep – “Montana Mountain King” at a USDA facility.
Court papers cite the following claims:
*On or about January 25, 2013, Person A entered the United States with biological tissue from a Marco Polo argali sheep that had been hunted in Kyrgyzstan. Person A did not declare the animal parts upon entry.
*On or about January 31, 2013, Schubarth entered into a “Cell Storage Agreement” with a corporation for storage and preservation of the above-referenced tissue from a male “Marco Polo” sheep named “Rocky.”
*On or about October 6, 2015, Schubarth entered into an “Ovine Cloning Contract” to clone an unspecified number of Marco Polo sheep from the tissue. He provided a deposit of $4,200 for the cloning.
* On or about November 22, 2016, Schubarth received 165 cloned Marco Polo embryos at the Schubarth Ranch.
*On or about May 15, 2017, a pure Marco Polo argali sheep male was born from the cloned embryos Schubarth named “Montana Mountain King.”
*Starting in 2018 at the latest, Schubarth harvested semen from M1\.1K to inseminate ewes via LAP-AI to create Marco Polo argali hybrid offspring.
Other notes from the case involved sending semen straws from MMK to Texas as well as transferring its offspring to Texas.
This is the first criminal case involving wildlife cloning, and it has potentially significant implications across several areas of the wildlife world.
Cloning At The Highest Levels
While cloning wildlife might be a shock to many within the hunting community, it has been a reality at the highest levels in the world of endangered wildlife management for several years.
On December 10, 2020, “Elizabeth Ann,” a black-footed ferret, was cloned from the frozen cells of “Willa,” a specimen that lived in the 1980s as part of a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service project that involved scientists at Revive & Restore (a cloning conservation group), ViaGen Pets & Equine, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“The Service sought the expertise of valued recovery partners to help us explore how we might overcome genetic limitations hampering the recovery of the black-footed ferret, and we’re proud to make this announcement today,” said Noreen Walsh, Director of the Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region.
“Although this research is preliminary, it is the first cloning of a native endangered species in North America, and it provides a promising tool for continued efforts to conserve the black-footed ferret.”
“Maintaining and increasing wild populations and suitable habitat continues to be essential for black-footed ferret recovery and will remain a priority for the Service. Successful genetic cloning does not diminish the importance of addressing habitat-based threats to the species or the Service’s focus on addressing habitat conservation and management to recover black-footed ferrets.”
In 2024, Service and its genetic research partners announced the birth of two more black-footed ferret clones – known as “Noreen” and “Antonia” both cloned from the same frozen specimen as Elizabeth Ann, who is alive and thriving at the ferret program’s headquarters in Fort Collins, CO.
Service officials said the application of this technology to endangered species addresses specific genetic diversity and disease concerns associated with black-footed ferrets.
“The Service views this new potential tool as one of many strategies to aid species recovery alongside efforts to address habitat challenges and other barriers to recovery.”
In February 2023, a cloned Przewalski’s horse, a native of Mongolia, was born at the ViaGen Pets & Equine cloning facility in Texas and was moved to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
According to San Diego Zoo officials, “Ollie” is a clone of a male Przewalski’s horse stallion whose living cell line was cryopreserved over 40 years ago in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Biodiversity Bank’s Frozen Zoo.
“The world’s first cloned Przewalski’s horse, Kurt, also living at the Safari Park, is the genetic twin of the foal, as he was born in August 2020 from the same stallion’s living cell line.”
And although ferret cloning is groundbreaking in several ways, it is not the first wild animal cloned at a governmental level. It happened with wild sheep back in 2015..
According to The Guardian, Iran’s Royan Institute researchers cloned a wild Isfahan mouflon using a domestic sheep as a surrogate mother.
“We have been working on the project for around four years,” project head Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahan, told the Guardian.
“Conservation of wildlife is an important concept in developing countries, and so far, a few successful projects involving the birth of wild animals by interspecies cloning have been achieved worldwide.”
It’s Not Just Cloning
Cloning should not be considered a stand-alone technology leap when it comes to wildlife. In my journalistic pursuit of the topic, it keeps overlapping with gene editing.
Gene editing allows scientists to modify the DNA of wild animals with precision. By employing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9, researchers can target specific genes within an organism’s genome, enabling them to insert, delete, or alter genetic material.
The process begins by identifying the genetic traits that need modification. DNA sequences are then precisely cut and altered, a task facilitated by CRISPR’s ‘molecular scissors.’ These edits can be designed to emulate genetic variations lost to time, essentially rewilding species with traits that once allowed them to thrive.
Once the desired genetic changes are made, the edited cells are cultivated and used to create embryos, which can be implanted into surrogate mothers, much like the process of cloning.
Theoretically, in the context of wildlife, gene editing holds the promise of conserving endangered species and restoring genetic diversity. An example would be the aforementioned black-footed ferret, where officials have openly discussed disease resistance as a potential target of gene editing.
If it works with ferrets, could it be used to help fight Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in wild sheep or chronic wasting disease in deer, elk, and moose?
No one knows for sure.
Interestingly, on the sheep front, USDA officials have been involved in genetic improvement programs for various livestock, including sheep, focusing on disease resistance.
With deer species and CWD in particular, there have already been discussions about the potential to research the use of this technology.
But there are huge concerns, some of which have never been published until now.
A Two-Edged Sword
Gene editing has largely been presented to the public in the context of eliminating disease potentials and genetic bottlenecks in rare species.
But there’s more, and it involves “gene drivers.”
Gene drivers are genetic systems that increase the likelihood of a particular gene being passed onto offspring. They can spread genetic modification rapidly through a population and can also be tinkered with through gene editing.
The Wyss Institute at Harvard University has been working on this about rats and has published several statements.
“Since the 1940s, researchers have thought of using gene drives to eradicate populations of pests and disease vectors and to reduce or eliminate invasive species that wreak havoc on natural ecosystems.”
“Deployed willfully in human intervention efforts, a propagated dominant gene modification could, for example, by biasing the production of one sex over the other over many generations, force a deleterious disease vector to decline and lose its dangerous potential.”
The key example is editing genes for females only to produce males so that, eventually, populations are eliminated. Wyss Institute officials have done research on this in relation to harmful insects, but it is already being discussed in the realm of invasive rat populations on islands.
Patrice Kohl, an assistant professor at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, was the lead author of a study about public opinion on gene editing and wildlife published in Conservation Biology.
The study analyzed data from a nationally representative survey of 1,600 U.S. adults between December 2016 and January 2017. Here are a few outtakes
*Overall, respondents significantly perceived the risks of gene editing wildlife as outweighing the benefits.
*More than 80 percent of respondents believed gene editing in wildlife to be at least somewhat risky to nature and humans.
*Between 55 and 63 percent of respondents thought gene editing would benefit nature and humans.
*Individuals who strongly believe in the authority of scientific knowledge perceived gene editing in wildlife as more beneficial and less risky.
*Respondents found gene editing to help species survive more morally acceptable than using it to reduce or eliminate species.
*Despite skepticism about the technology, respondents might still support gene editing for wildlife management.
In an article published by the University, Kohl asked an intriguing question.
“What if you introduce a gene-edited rat to reduce their populations on an island, and then that rat escapes the island, and you drive that rat species extinct?” Kohl says.
“That has consequences for everyone across the entire planet.”
Implications For The Future
Just like artificial intelligence has changed the world radically in a short span, cloning, and gene editing will experience similar leaps in advancement and be employed even more in wildlife management.
In reality, cloned Marco Polo sheep on ranches would on the surface present no more of a threat to wild sheep for example than dozens of different domestic varieties or species like aoudad. If importing these sheep and someone propagating them for hunting had been legal and done under specific guidelines, there wouldn’t be a story here.
But what happened here takes us into entirely new territory.
Is it possible that unchecked cloning could make cloned specimens and their offspring inadvertently more susceptible to health issues that spread to native wildlife?
If the illegal cloning of wild sheep started in 2015, what about gene editing of herds of various animals?
Are there herds that have gene-edited specimens that might cause them to grow larger horns, grow more quickly, or have better reproduction but also have negative side effects that could impact wild sheep that come in contact with them?
When I first started investigating this story, I contacted Texas Parks & Wildlife Big Game Program Director Mitch Lockwood and asked about the legality of cloning wildlife in Texas.
“TPWD does not have regulatory authority over exotic wildlife, but cloning white-tailed deer and mule deer is prohibited,” Lockwood said.
That means exotic stock like red sheep, axis deer, or markhor, all of which are successfully propagated in a thriving exotic hunting market, could be cloned or have gene editing done.
Technology is neutral. What is done with it can either do great good or completely the opposite.
Whether we like it or not, cloning and gene editing are now part of the equation of wildlife, and it has already involved wild sheep.
We’ve entered a brave new world where, for the first time in my career, a story seems more like science fiction than reality, so I find it proper to end with something Steven Spielberg, director of Jurassic Park, said about cloning during the film’s media promotion.
He called cloning of wildlife “A science of eventuality.”
Anthropologist Hendrik Poinar more recently said, “I laughed when Steven Spielberg said that cloning extinct animals was inevitable. But I’m not laughing anymore…”
If a man from Montana can spend a few thousand dollars and send argali tissue to Mexico and get cloned embryos sent back to his ranch, what other wildlife has already been cloned?
What impact could it have on native wildlife?
That’s the question we need to be asking.
Chester Moore
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