A world-class bighorn sheep ram that lived along the Arkansas River was found dead in late November.

Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists estimate the ram was between 12 and 13 years old and was driven from the herd by younger males.

At that point, the ram traveled north onto property owned by Fort Carson where it died of old age.

“This old guy is one for the record books,” said Allen Vitt, a DOW biologist from Pueblo. “Based on the initial measurements, the ram will score among the largest in the world.”

The current Boone & Crocket world record ram is 208 and three-eighths. Scoring is done by taking a series of standardized measurements.

Boone & Crocket requires that horns dry for at least 60 days before measuring, so a final score will not be calculated until February.

Regardless of the final score, the ram was one of the most majestic bighorn sheep recorded in Colorado.

Fort Carson military and wildlife officials discovered the ram on the southern end of their property in late August and kept a close eye on it to ensure its safety.

The DOW plans to have the ram mounted to use in an educational display. Bighorn sheep are the official state mammal in Colorado.