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Capture, testing help protect bighorn sheep from pneumonia

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Wildlife crews aided by nets shot out of a helicopter have been helping protect bighorn sheep in the Black Hills from a pneumonia epidemic.

The Rapid City Journal reports (http://bit.ly/21o8n5r ) that Friday’s operation in the Cleghorn Canyon area west of Rapid City trapped one or two sheep at a time to collect blood, fluid and information as part of a research project that could help counteract the disease.

The group included experts from South Dakota State University and South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department.

Crews bound the sheep and attached them to the helicopter, which lifted the animals for short flight above the treetops. After the bags were untied, the sheep endured about 10 minutes of poking and prodding before being released.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com

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