Santa Cruz Island Feral Sheep Cut from 21,500 to Under 100 in 7-Year Cull

Conservationists carried out a large-scale removal of feral sheep from Santa Cruz Island to restore its fragile native ecosystem. Over seven years, the population was reduced from approximately 21,500 animals to fewer than 100. However, the effort risked wiping out a rare heritage breed with unique genetic traits. To prevent its extinction, twelve lambs were rescued and moved to the mainland to establish a captive breeding program. The initiative aims to preserve both the island's ecology and California's agricultural heritage.