Peninsular bighorn sheep
Overview: Peninsular bighorn sheep live in the mountains from the San Jacinto range to Mexico, including Anza-Borrego, and were listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on 18 March 1998. Watch from a distance and keep dogs away[1][4].
What are Peninsular bighorn sheep?
Peninsular bighorn sheep are a population of desert bighorn sheep that lives in the Peninsular Ranges of Southern California, from the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains south to the border with Mexico[1]. Anza-Borrego lies within that range, and the park lists bighorn sheep among its main sights[2]. The animal gave the area its name: borrego is Spanish for lamb, used locally for the bighorn[3][2].
Are they endangered?
Yes. On 18 March 1998 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Peninsular Ranges population of desert bighorn sheep as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act[4]. The service later designated critical habitat and published a recovery plan[1]. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife runs conservation work for the population, including monitoring[5].
Where might I see one?
Bighorn keep to rocky slopes and canyons, especially near water. Visitors on the Borrego Palm Canyon trail sometimes see them on the canyon walls; the park’s visitor center can say where sightings have been reported recently[2]. The natural history association notes that dry grass in summer still feeds herbivores such as rabbits and “Borrego sheep”, and that water lingers in Borrego Palm Canyon and Coyote Canyon[6]. Binoculars help; the sheep blend in with the rock.
How should visitors behave around them?
- Keep your distance and let the sheep move away; never approach or follow them.
- Keep dogs away; in the park, dogs are allowed only in campgrounds, on designated roads and on one trail[2].
- Do not linger at water sources, which sheep need in hot weather.
- Stay on trails, as the owners’ house rules also ask[7].
- Report sightings to park staff.
Are there bighorn sculptures?
Yes. Bighorn sheep are among the desert animals in Ricardo Breceda’s Galleta Meadows sculptures[8]. See Galleta Meadows sculptures.
Visitor questions
When were Peninsular bighorn sheep listed as endangered?
On 18 March 1998, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What does borrego mean?
Spanish for lamb; in Anza-Borrego it refers to the bighorn sheep.
Can I bring my dog on trails to see bighorn?
Dogs are limited to campgrounds, designated park roads and the Visitor Center/Campground trail.
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Peninsular Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ a b c d Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. California State Parks. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Borrego Springs, California. Wikipedia. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ a b Endangered status for the Peninsular Ranges population segment of the desert bighorn sheep in Southern California (1998). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Peninsular Desert Bighorn Sheep Conservation. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Blooms. Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ House Rules and Local Recommendations for Guests. Divine Desert Destination (divinedesertdestination.com). Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Galleta Meadows Estate. Wikipedia. Viewed 9 November 2026.