“The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the Wild Sheep Foundation”

No surprise here. The University of Idaho has put Marie Bulgin on paid
administrative leave while investigating comments made by the controversial
head of the U of I’s Caine Veterinary Teaching Center.

Bulgin - a past president of the Idaho Wool Growers Association - has said
that there is no evidence that wild bighorn sheep can contract disease from
domestic sheep. This is a controversial claim in wildlife circles. Bulgin
has made that assertion in federal court and in legislative hearings, even
though the Caine center has had evidence to the contrary since 1994.

Bulgin has said she was unaware of the unpublished study suggesting a
disease link.

"(Bulgin) will not be involved in research projects on sheep and
sheep-related diseases, nor publish or otherwise disseminate research
materials regarding sheep or sheep-related diseases pending the outcome of
the university’s investigation," the university said in a statement issued
Wednesday.

I’m not sure the U of I had much of a choice - but the damage may be done.
This mess is already hurting the Caine center.

The Cody, Wyo.-based Wild Sheep Foundation is rethinking whether it wants to
fund Caine center research. "We would be better using our interest and
funding to go somewhere else where they are going to truly do science and
not pull this mess that Bulgin has done," foundation director Neil Thagard
told the Lewiston Tribune.

University research relies on the ability to find funding partners. Donors
simply aren’t going to want to put their money into research labs that have
a bias, real or perceived.

Beyond the what-did-she-know-and-when-did-she-know-it Bulgin investigation,
it’s a good time for the U of I and incoming president Duane Nellis to take
a good look at the wisdom of having a research lab director who has such
close ties to industry.