Santa Cruz Island cut feral sheep from 21,500 to under 100, then saved 12 lambs

Conservationists undertook a significant effort to remove feral sheep from Santa Cruz Island, aiming to revive its delicate ecosystem. Over seven years, thousands of these sheep were eliminated, risking the extinction of a unique heritage breed. To counter this, twelve lambs were rescued to spearhead a captive breeding initiative on the mainland, ensuring the preservation of a rare genetic lineage and honoring California's rich agricultural heritage.

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