PHOTOS: Cute Baby Bighorn Sheep Is Living Desert's Newest Resident

This yet-to-be-named bighorn lamb was born April 10, 2015 at the Living Desert zoo in Palm Desert. Images courtesy: The Living Desert.

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The Living Desert Tuesday announced the arrival of a newborn bighorn sheep, the first such birth at the zoo in more than 20 years.

The male sheep, known as a ram, was born Friday, weighing in at just over 9 pounds.

“We are so excited for the birth of this bighorn ram,” said Allen Monroe, president and chief executive officer of The Living Desert. “These sheep are an important part of our desert habitat and it’s wonderful to see endangered animals multiply.”

The newborn’s parents are 4-year-old Dante, a ram from the San Diego Zoo, and Nolina, a 7-year-old, first-time mother formerly from the Los Angeles Zoo.

A bighorn sheep has not been born at The Living Desert since 1993.

Bighorn sheep are known for their large curved horns and ability to climb steep, rocky mountain areas.

At the start of the 19th century, there were an estimated 1 1/2 to 2 million bighorn sheep in North America. Today, there are fewer than 70,000, zoo officials said.

Baby bighorn sheep, or lambs, can walk and climb as well their mothers after a day, and typically remain with the mother for the first year of life.

The newborn will be on display with the rest of the herd at The Living Desert.

Related:

• Bighorn Sheep Causes Traffic Jam in La Quinta

— City News Service.