Protecting Radium Hot Spring’s Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep on the highways

Since 2022, Shuswap Wildlife Monitors have been out on highways to alert drivers when bighorn sheep are on the road, ultimately reducing the number of hits. They may be achieving that goal.

From 2023 to 2024, an average of six bighorn sheep were killed each year, compared to an average of 10.5 sheep killed annually from 2011 to 2020.

Pam Martin, a committed monitor who has spent the last four years nurturing her bond with this community-loved herd, is one of the wildlife monitors responsible for this mortality reduction.

Pam’s mission is to minimize road injuries and mortalities and track the sheep’s movement, alerting motorists of their presence with flashing lights. Monitors like Pam, play a crucial role in safeguarding these magnificent creatures and aiding them to maintain their daily migration routine.

The Radium bighorn sheep herd follows a natural rhythm, traveling east to west in the morning to reach the golf course or the river, where they thrive during the day. As evening falls, they journey back east to the steeper slopes, where they find rest for the night. However, the presence of a major highway now disrupts their migration.

Pam’s deep familiarity with the herd habits is a testament to her dedication. She knows the different groups and when and where they usually cross.

“I think they’ve gotten to know me and sometimes they seem to wait till they see my truck before they cross” commented Pam who has even lovingly named some of them – Miss Unicorn, Dotty, Limpy, and Lonely.

When reflecting on why she loves her job, Pam shares, “The sheep, of course. I love working with them, and it’s a boring day when I don’t see them.” When asked what she finds the most challenging, she confided “When people yell at me and say I’m just wasting my time. That’s very discouraging. But people’s behaviour has really changed. Many locals now slow down and put on their flashers when they see sheep on or near the road – that is incredibly helpful. There is also one man who brings me a coffee almost every day, and others will text me when they see sheep near the road. I truly appreciate that!”

With construction on the highway overpass resuming this spring, Pam expresses her hope, “It will take some time for the sheep to learn to use the overpass, and we will need to guide them, but I hope it will reduce the number of animals hit. That’s one of the hardest parts of my job – staying with an injured animal while waiting for the Conservation Officers or RCMP to come and dispose of it. People can help by not stopping or slowing down to take videos. That just makes it more dangerous.”

Shuswap Wildlife Monitors, like Pam, are working hard to increase herd numbers from the current 140-145 to an ideal population of 250. Pam’s spirit remains hopeful for the future of the Radium herd.

“I love it when the ewes come back with their babies. I give them extra attention because they’re the future.”

We can all agree with Pam that we’re privileged to coexist with such awe-inspiring wildlife in our beautiful surroundings.

e-KNOW file photos

Submitted by Wildsight Invermere – Written with support from the Shuswap Indian Band

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