BIGHORN TRANSPLANT

Wildlife biologists recently captured 30 desert bighorn sheep and placed them in a new home.

The Division of Wildlife Resources captured the sheep at several sites in southeastern Utah. After capturing the sheep, the biologists transplanted them to John's Canyon, a tributary of the San Juan River.

The river empties into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell.

Bill Bates, DWR biologist, says wild sheep once lived in John's Canyon but were extirpated decades ago. The recent transplant is the first step in bringing sheep back to the canyon. The biologists collected surplus animals from healthy herds near Green River and Moab and then trucked them south.

The new herd consists of five rams, 22 ewes and three lambs. The habitat in John's Canyon is similar to the habitat in the areas they were taken from. The canyon features craggy cliffs and a permanent water source.

QUAGGA MUSSEL SESSION

The second annual quagga mussel prevention training session will be held at Lake Powell on April 2.

The class will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wahweap Lodge.

Training will include a brief history of mussel infestation in the U.S. with an update on the spread of invasive mussels in the West during 2007.

Instruction on mussel identification, enforcement and prevention procedures to stop the spread of invasive species will be given. Bill Zook from the Columbia River and Wen Baldwin from Lake Mead will be chief instructors, along with Mark Anderson from the National Park Service.

A demonstration of boat washing procedures will be featured from noon to 1 p.m. at the Wahweap decontamination station.

Attendees may include all who work in water-based recreational industry, agency and enforcement officials responsible to check the spread of aquatic invasive species and mussels, biologists and other officials working with aquatic resources, business entities working with boats, and all others who are interested in stopping the spread of mussels.

BUY PARK PASSES

With all the snow, good water levels are expected in Utah's lakes and reservoirs this summer. Those planning to visit Utah parks to boat or camp should consider purchasing their Utah State Parks Annual Pass or Senior Adventure Pass.

The $75 Annual Pass waives day-use fees at most state parks and provides a new $2 camping discount seven days a week, excluding holidays and holiday weekends. Passes do not discount special use fees, such as golf.