Bighorn sheep advocates on both sides of border working to combat mange outbreak – Okanagan | 24CA News
Agencies on either side of the Canada-U.S. border are working to assist bighorn sheep after studying in regards to the unfold of a devastating illness this 12 months.
In an “early warning note” from B.C.’s Ministry of Forests to authorities officers, it was reported that psoroptes mange has now been discovered within the japanese Okanagan Valley bighorn sheep.
It was first found within the Okanagan in 2011 close to Keremeos.
The illness, brought on by mites together with a pneumonia an infection (M. Ovi), is blamed partially for as a lot as a 60 per cent decline within the inhabitants.
The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Agency discovered psoroptes in 2023 in sheep populations identified to journey between the U.S. and east Okanagan.
Prior to that discovery, there had been no documented circumstances in these herds.
Bighorn populations have largely been separated east/west throughout the Okanagan by means of city sprawl, excessive fences and enormous lakes.
“Wildlife staff anticipate this outbreak may create additional challenges for an already stressed, culturally and economically significant species,” Shellie Saunders, govt administrative assistant for the Ministry of Forests South Area, wrote within the report.
The infestation doesn’t kill the animals straight, however is believed to weaken them and make them extra inclined to different well being points.
“It’s a disease that definitely hurts their body condition and can inhibit their ability to hear predators and traffic,” mentioned Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) biologist Mackenzie Clarke, who has been engaged on the issue.
“These (east Valley) populations are already under very stressful conditions and then to add this disease is very bad.
“I think right now we need to work on a new strategy. There’s a new version of the drug to treat the disease, but it will be very labour-intensive, so we’re going to have to make sure it’s 100 per cent effective.”
Since the invention, First Nations, authorities and non-government businesses have been working collectively to fight the issue.
That included a 2017 trial program by the Penticton Indian Band the place animals had been caught and saved in pens whereas being handled. It had some success.
“So that’s potentially the approach we’re going to take again,” mentioned Chris Barker, vp of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, one of many lead conservation teams within the matter.
“There has been some development within the science round treating psoroptes and what we’re hoping to do is one other trial. And if it really works, then we have now a plan in place the place we may presumably deal with all of the populations on either side of the valley.
“For these animals, it’s just something else they’re dealing with, but if we can get ahead of it a little bit, maybe we can get to a positive outcome and re-establish populations to better keep those sheep populations in the Okanagan.”
South of the border, along with the Washington Fish and Wildlife Agency, the society is working with the Colville Confederated Tribes and the Washington Wild Sheep Society.
© 2023 Penticton Herald
