On Jun. 15, 2015, UAlberta scientists announced first whole genome sequence of bighorn sheep. With advances in DNA sequencing technology and computer processing, the process is now efficient and cost-effective enough to be useful in obtaining whole genome sequences of wildlife species, like bighorn sheep.

This opens new avenues of research such as using genomics to plan conservation and management actions for at-risk species. As a game species, the trophy status of a bighorn sheep ram is based largely on horn size. Because the rams with the largest horns are often the ones targeted by hunters, their removal from a population could then eliminate the genetic ability of animals in that population to grow large horns. The findings were published in BMC Genomics.