Rancho Del Oso Herd Massacre

Ronnie Garcia inherited the sheep from his father, Fabian Garcia, who inherited them from his father. For generations, the herd has been in the Garcia family of El Rito, NM.

 

The sheep are pastured in El Rito during the winter and spring before moving to the high country for the summer to graze.

 

The sheep are currently lambing - meaning birthing baby lambs. The sheep are penned up at night during this volatile time.

 

During the night of 3/18/2022, locally-owned, non-restrained dogs managed to gain access to the corral where the birthing sheep were penned up for the night. The massacre resulted in the deaths of 132 ewes (mom sheep) and 115 babies for a total loss of 247 head of sheep.

 

This significant loss of life devasted the family, but it has also inflicted a substantial burden on the family. The family-run business solely relies on income from raising these lambs to sell their wool and highly sought-after organic-raised lamb meat.

 

This old tradition is now on the verge of extinction.

 

We are searching for assistance to help renew, protect and preserve one precious New Mexico sheepherder and help him continue to maintain this legacy and New Mexican tradition.

 

Ronnie understands he needs a solution to prevent this from happening again. While he can't control dog owners and their unethical responsibility to train and secure their dogs, he understands that he needs to control what he can control, which is developing a secure and safe environment for his sheep during the birthing season and other vulnerable times throughout their lives.

 

Ronnie and the team have developed plans to engineer and create a secured environment for lambing. This will require the installation of new corals that unrestrained dogs can't access.

 

Extending electrical services to allow for electronic fences and cameras will help hold irresponsible dog owners accountable and alert Ronnie and the team when there is a security system breach.

 

I am Ronnie's niece and granddaughter of Fabian Garcia. As a small business owner myself, I understand that I could experience a catastrophe that could destroy my business and livelihood at any given time. So, I am compelled to help.

 

Rancho Del Oso has a dream to carry on the New Mexico Sheep Herding Business tradition. This NM tradition allows the sheepherder to carry on the family tradition while providing for his family. This major fatality has been catastrophic to fulfilling their dream and livelihood.

 

We are searching for resources to help Ronnie and the team develop a secure environment for his sheep to birth so he can continue the legacy of my ancestors.

 

I'm available at your convenience to answer any questions you might have

 

Thank you in advance for your support.