Hells Canyon Initiative

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Restoring Wild Sheep to Hells Canyon

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic

Project Summary: Following a dramatic, disease-caused, die-off, NGO, tribal, state, and federal partners worked cooperatively to restore wild sheep to Hells Canyon.

Resource Challenge

The Hells Canyon Initiative brought together biologists and managers to address a problem that impacted three states (Idaho, Washington, and Oregon). When a disease epizootic swept throught Hells Canyon, killing hundreds of bighorn sheep, the partners knew that it would take all of their efforts, working cooperatively, to restore wild sheep to the canyon.

Examples of Key Partners

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Nez Pierce Tribe, U. S. Forest Service, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep

Results and Accomplishments

An endowed chair dealing with wildlife diseases has been established at the Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Hundreds of wild sheep have been transplanted into the canyon and the population is now nearly at the pre-dieoff level.

Interagency channels of communication have been opened that have enhanced numerous wildlife programs in the project area.

Innovation/Highlight

Project Contact

Raymond Lee
President
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
720 Allen Avenue
Cody, WY 82414
(307) 527-6261
rlee@fnaws.org

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