Physiologic and hematologic values in Nelson desert bighorn sheep.

Physiologic and hematologic values were established for two groups of free ranging Nelson desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). Eleven sheep (Group I) were captured with a drop net, 16 sheep (Group II) were immobilized with Etorphine introduced in projectile syringes. The mean glucose level, respiration rate and leucocyte count values for Group I sheep were more than twice those observed in Group II sheep. There were no differences between the groups in the other values. Data obtained were compared to values previously established for free ranging and captive Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (O. c. canadensis), California bighorn sheep (O. c. californiana) and domestic sheep (O. aries).