Wildlife

The East Kootenay Region has the unique distinction of being one of the highest capability areas to support wildlife in North America. Ten big game species are found within its 26,000 square kilometer area. The total big game population exceeds 100,000 animals yielding densities of approximately four animals per square kilometer. Big game found in the Region include white tail and mule deer, elk, caribou, moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep, black and grizzly bear and cougar.

The abundance of streams and lakes in the East Kootenay support sport fisheries and serve as important spawning and rearing areas for a variety of species. Dolly Varden, Rainbow, Cut-throat, Eastern Brook trout, Mountain Whitefish and Kokanee make up the majority of catches in the Kootenay River and its tributaries. In addition, many lakes are stocked with fish from the Provincial hatchery near Wardner.

Wolves

This elusive predator was nearly extirpated from this area in the early 1900s and again in 1940. After an absence of 30 years wolves were sighted again in Kootenay National Park in the winter of 1982- 83. Wolves in varying numbers have occupied the Kootenay Valley every since, and wolf packs also occur at least intermittently in parts of the Columbia Valley.

Quick facts about wolves:

 
• travel in packs 
• travel about 18 km a day, can easily cover over 70 km a day when they pace along a trail or fire road at their usual 10 km per hour 
• average pack consumes approximately one large mammal a week. 
• prey on elk, deer, moose, mountain sheep, marmots, ground squirrels, hares, mice and even spawning salmon

For more information visit the following websites:
Northern Lights Wolf Centres:
(located at Panorama) panoramaresort.com
(located at Golden) www.northernlightswildlife.com

Central Rockies Wolf Program - www.graywolf.ca

Bighorn Sheep

These majestic animals symbolize the rugged beauty and wildlife of the Rocky Mountains. During the fall, winter and spring months, Bighorn sheep of the Radium-Stoddart herd are frequently seen in the Village of Radium Hot Springs and on neighbouring low elevation benchlands and valley bottom.

In summer they graze the high mountain meadows of Kootenay National Park and have their young. Fall brings them back to into the Columbia Valley for the winter.

Quick Facts about Bighorn sheep:

 
• mating time is November to December, head-on combat between Rams is displayed emble domestic goats with short horns 
• male rams have large curved spiral horns 
• eat mostly grasses 
• prefer open grassland areas predators are wolves, cougar, grizzly bear and golden eagles

For more information visit the Bighorn in Our Backyard website: www.radiumhotsprings.com/village/bighorn/index_new.htm

Please drive carefully and watch for wildlife crossing roads!
Drive as if their life depends on it