2024 PROJECT SNAPSHOT
2023 PROJECT SNAPSHOT
CURRECT PROJECTS
Okanagan Psoroptes Disease Treatment Trial (Penticton)
This targeted disease management initiative is focused on controlling Psoroptes cuniculi (ear mite) infestations in yilíkʷlxkn (bighorn sheep) herds in the South Okanagan. The trial evaluates injectable treatment options, improves diagnostic tools (e.g., ELISA), and tracks disease transmission in a previously unexposed population. Up to 20 sheep will be captured, GPS-collared, and monitored for movement, health, and herd interaction. The project also assesses co-infection with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M.ovi) and builds a predictive contact risk model.
Project Expenditures: $200,000
Project Partners:
-
Okanagan Nation Alliance
-
Wild Sheep Foundation
-
Washington Wild Sheep Foundation
-
Hudbay Minerals
-
Wild Sheep Foundation Chapter and Affiliate
.jpg)
Fraser River Bighorns Test and Remove (Fraser River)
This program uses a Test and Remove (T&R) strategy to manage Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M.ovi) in Fraser River bighorn sheep herds. In response to population declines of up to 70% since the 1990s, infected adult females—identified through PCR testing—are selectively removed to reduce lamb infections and improve recruitment. The program combines collaring, aerial surveys, and genetic work to inform herd recovery and manage reinfection risks.
Project Expenditures: $2.5 million
Project Partners:
-
Government of BC (Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship)
-
Wild Sheep Foundation
-
Midwest Chapter Wild Sheep Foudnation
-
Abbotsford Fish and Game
-
St’at’imc Nation
-
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Prescribed Burn for Stone's Sheep - Northern BC
This is a large-scale, prescribed burn program to
restore and enhance habitat for Stone’s sheep in northeastern British Columbia.
Project expenditures: $2 million
Project Partners:
Wild Sheep Foundation
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Canadian Wildlife Capture
Grand Slam Club Ovis and Grand Slam Club Ovis Canada
Dallas Safari Club
Washington Chapter Wild Sheep Foundation
Transmission
A documentary film to educate the public on the biggest issue around the spread of Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae, and the interaction between domestic and wild shee. The film goes far deeper than that to fully understand all aspects of this devasting disease, and what can be done moving forward to help making better decisions. You can watch the film at: https://www.movifree.org/
Project Expenditures: $103,000
Project Partners: WSF, WSF-Alberta, WSF-Yukon, HCTF, Cabela's Outdoor Fund
Kamloops Lake- Collaring Project
Capture-Collaring project along with herd sampling, and health assessments along the north side of Kamloops Lake.
Project Expenditures: $43,430
Project Partners: Canadian Wildlife Captureata.
Elk Valley Invasive Plant Management- Implementing Treatment
This initiative is playing a key role in minimizing the negative impacts of invasive species on habitat quality and forage availability for wildlife in the Upper Elk Valley – an area that contains important ungulate winter ranges, deciduous forests and montane ecosystems
Project Expenditures: $9,889
Project Partners: FWCP, BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Elk Valley Bighorn Outfitters, Elkford Rod & Gun Club, and Sparwood & District Fish & Wildlife Association
7-19 Bighorn Herd Survey
Aerial bighorn sheep survey of management unit 7-19.
Project Expenditures: $3,620
Project Partners: Wildlife Infometrics
NEBCWF Ungulate Enhancement Projects
Assistance with helicopter fuel costs to assist with ungulate enhancement in 7B.
Project Expenditures: $50,000
Project Partners: NEBCWF
PAST PROJECTS
Adopt a Property – Granby
Project: Wild Sheep Habitat Purchase
Funds Contributed: $107,700
Summary:
WSSBC partnered with Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT) to acquire District Lot 492 and District Lot 493 east of Grand Forks, BC.
DL 492 is 109 hectares (270 acres) of open, rolling bunchgrass grassland interspersed with patches of trembling aspen and rose thickets. There is some open ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest by Morrissey Creek, near the property’s eastern boundary. DL 492 is 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from Grand Forks and has public access.
Lot A DL 493 is 35 hectares (86 acres) of open, south-facing bunchgrass grassland that merges into bedrock outcrops on its upper slope.
DL 492 and DL 493 provides year-round habitat for a healthy population of 200-300 California bighorn sheep. The Grand Forks sheep herd (also called the Gilpin herd) has provided decades of hunting opportunity to resident and non-resident hunters, as well as excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. All bighorn sheep age and sex classes are commonly seen on DL 492 and DL 493. The property is also good quality winter/spring for both mule deer and white-tailed deer and is habitat for at least five federally listed species-at-risk.
Funding and Support provided by:
Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, Southern Interior Land Trust, Brandow Family, Granby Guides and Outfitters and Tom Foss.
Thank you to the following WSSBC Members and Donors that made this acquisition possible
Tatlatui, Swannel, and Russel Ranges Herd Health & Assessment, & Collaring
Health Assessment, and collaring project in the Tatlatui, Swannel, and Russel Ranges to establish a baseline understanding of this Stone's sheep population better.
Project Expenditures: $115,000
Project Partners: WSF, FLNRORD, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation, Yellowhead Helicopter
Churn Creek- Collaring Project
Capture-Collaring project along with herd sampling, and health assessments along the west side of the Fraser River.
Project Expenditures: $4,884
Nesa7 White- MSc- Study on Determining Lamb survival on forage Masters of Science funding assistance provided to Nesa7 White for doing a study on determining lamb survival on forage.
There will be in-depth scientific research as well utilizing traditional First Nation knowledge into her study.
Project Expenditures: $20,000
Project Partners: MITACS