Respuesta :
Answer:
The statement which best accounts for the decline of the bighorn sheep population is - " Human activities directly and indirectly affected the sheep."
Explanation: Explaination of the following statements -
- Predators of the sheep decreased in number.
Predation is rarely considered a major mortality factor (Wishart 1975, 1978). It is well known that bighorn sheep are preyed upon, but there is little information available on the effect(s) of predation on the populations of bighorn sheep. Numerous citations document the stalking and/or killing of bighorn sheep by a number of predators.
Thus , this statement is not correct.
- Sheep ewes that have shorter, spiked horns increased in number -The larger, wild relative of the domesticated sheep is the bighorn sheep. Males are called "rams" and have long spiral horns, while females are called "ewes" with shorter, spike-like horns. With white areas on the muzzle, the back of the legs and around the rump, the coat is short, coarse and usually brown. The sheep will shed its hair once a year to reveal a new coat underneath.
Thus , the statement does not match with the decline of the bighorn sheep.
- Human activities directly and indirectly affected the sheep. -: Disease transmission, human interference, overgrazing, and loss of habitat are often cited as factors responsible for decreases in the abundance and distribution of bighorn sheep. these all factors comes under the human activities which directly /indirectly results in the declination of the bighorn sheep.
Hence, this statement is correct .
- The sheep were listed as a "species of concern" by Glacier National Park.
Home to 400 to 600 bighorn sheep, Glacier National Park lists the animal as a "species of concern," that is, at risk of being endangered. The research has also shown just how sheep-like bighorns could be. They're creatures of habit, that is. Therefore , the national park indicated the species at risk , but were not responsible for their declination.
Hence, this statement is incorrect.
Therefore , the correct answer is 3 ( Human activities directly and indirectly affected the sheep.)
