Syilx Okanagan Nation calls for stop to bighorn sheep hunting while disease decimates the population

Photo: Mike Biden

California bighorn sheep.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation is calling for an immediate emergency order to stop California bighorn sheep hunting in the area due to a devastating disease decimating the local population.

Bluetongue disease is rare in B.C. but has recently been spreading in the sheep population near Grand Forks.

"This disease, as it currently stands, is exacerbated by this drought period, and is will most likely be more common due to human-caused climate change," stated Addison Fosbery, Okanagan Nation Alliance wildlife biologist.

Currently, there are still several hunting tags that the Province of BC has issued for this population, which were issued before the epidemic was identified.

"The ability of these big horn sheep to survive is gravely threatened by the recent outbreak of bluetongue disease. We are demanding the Province of BC place an emergency order to immediately suspend the bighorn sheep hunting season, which opened this week, to allow those animals still alive an opportunity to begin to recover. We are also calling on those that currently do hold hunting tags to abstain from hunting these animals," said ONA tribal chair Clarence Louie.

Bluetongue is transmitted by biting flies thought to have arrived in the area due to changing environmental conditions and wind, according to the ONA.

There are concerns the disease could be transmitted to white tail and mule deer.

Anyone who harvests a sick animal is asked to report the incident to the ONA at 1-250-300-8336, and the ONA advise that the meat not be consumed until there is better evidence as to how it may interact with humans.