Partnership Drives Bighorn Sheep Recovery in Kicking Horse Corridor

Partnership Drives Bighorn Sheep Recovery in Kicking Horse Corridor

Article by Jodi Brown – Project Coordinator, KNC Lands and Resources
Photo credit: Stephanie Higgins, MSc, RPBio, P.Bi – Cirque Ecological

KNC, in partnership with Cirque Ecological, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT), and the Golden District Rod & Gun Club, has been working collaboratively to monitor bighorn sheep following the four‑lane expansion of the Trans‑Canada Highway through Kicking Horse.

Since construction wrapped up, KNC and Cirque Ecological have continued to track herd health and population trends. Thanks to this shared effort, the herd has nearly doubled—from 11 animals in 2020 to 20 in 2025—an encouraging milestone.

While environmental pressures remain, the partnership continues to focus on supporting the herd through habitat improvements, monitoring sheep and predator movements as the herd expands into new areas, and ensuring fencing and escape structures remain effective.

The ongoing commitment of the Ktunaxa Nation has played a central role in ensuring the herd’s survival. Growing the population in the face of ongoing challenges is a significant achievement, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative work to help stabilize and strengthen the herd into the future.