The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep is the provincial mammal of Alberta and the state animal of Colorado. Join the Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta to help with their preservation. Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta
To promote and enhance increasing populations of indigenous wild sheep in Alberta through the funding of programs that support responsible wildlife management, conservation education, youth involvement and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta was started in 1999 and is a proud member of the National Wild Sheep Foundation. WSFA is a member-driven organization that connects hunting guides and outfitters, wildlife researchers, habitat conservationists, sportsmen and women, and the general public. Our two major fundraising events take place in the spring in the communities of Red Deer and Edson Alberta. With continued downsizing of government agencies, more onus is being placed on conservation organizations to initiate, manage and fund wildlife and habitat enhancement programs. Past issues of the WSFA newsletter are posted for your reading enjoyment. Check back often as we update our photo gallery on a regular basis. Becoming a member of Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta is an opportunity to be involved in an organization dedicated to the promotion and funding of sound wildlife management practices. Please note that in no way does WSFA necessarily endorse views and opinions expressed on these outside links, as those views are strictly those of the site owners. Your Board would like to hear from you, and listen to any suggestions or ideas you might want to run by them.
Conservation and Education Projects
With continued downsizing of government agencies, more onus is being placed on conservation organizations to initiate, manage and fund wildlife and habitat enhancement programs. WSFA is committed to being included and involved in programs that work toward the goals and mission of WSFA.

WSFA receives many applications for funding every year. To ensure that all funding requests are dealt with in an efficient manner the Foundation will be formalizing its application process somewhat. This will allow all requests to be considered and integrated with our budgeting process.

Project Funding Application Guide
Terms of Reference, Project Funding Committee
Project Funding Application Form

Interested in helping out? There are several opportunities for your business to contribute to wildlife conservation in Alberta. Please click here to see how your business can play an important role in our children's future.

Here's a sample of what we have accomplished in our few short years as an organization.

Bighorn Sheep Transplant
Studies showed that since 1970, the sheep population at Ram Mountain west of Rocky Mountain House had decreased from a peak of 230 head to approximately 30. This was due to changing habitat and an increase in predation. In October 2004, WSFA approached Alberta Fish & Wildlife about the potential of transplanting sheep onto this range. 21 rams and ewes were obtained from Cadomin for transplant to Ram Mountain in 2004, and again in 2005.

Parasite & Disease Studies
WSFA participated in a Pneumonia study of the Bighorn Sheep at Yarrow-Castle. Funding was provided to research Pasteurella bacteria transmission from domestic sheep. WSFA also funded a Dall sheep disease parasite study in the Northwest Territories.

Improving Range Habitat
Prescribed burning and mechanical clearing provide methods for restoring ecosystem condition in areas affected by fire suppression. In conjunction with the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta helped fund controlled burns in the Hinton/Edson areas to improve ungulate winter range habitat.

Cougar Population Study
In December 2005, WSFA and the University of Alberta began a study of cougar population status, habitat use, and predation in Alberta's Clearwater County. This represented the first major study of this predator to be conducted north of the Bow River.

Through this study we intended to produce results that could be used for the management and conservation of cougars and their prey along Alberta's Central East Slopes. In particular, we hoped to provide information that would facilitate effective mitigation of predator-caused declines in economically important or locally endangered ungulate populations, while simultaneously maintaining viable and ecologically effective predator populations.

Dogs were used to find and tree cougars so they could be tranquilized and have radio frequency collars applied to them.

Black Bear Study
WSFA has also funded a Northern Alberta Black Bear study. This Central Alberta East Slopes study also included some funds for Grizzly bear research.

And more ...

  • Assisted with Bighorn Sheep and Goat surveys in Wildlife Management Unit 408 in the Rocky Mountains.
  • Provided funding assistance for a Wolf study in West Central Alberta with the University of Alberta, as well as the ongoing Eastern Slopes Ungulate Enhancement project in cooperation with the Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, and Drayton Valley trapping associations.
  • Provided funding to the Cardinal River Coal Mine Enforcement Plan.
  • Working with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and the Alberta Fish & Wildlife Division, we helped fund Bighorn Sheep DNA forensic work.

We are proud to have contributed more than $300,000 for a large variety of projects that enhance Bighorn Sheep and other wildlife in Alberta.
 WSFA is a Registered Charity for income tax purposes.
Call 403-845-5544 for details.

2010 Projects | 2009 Projects

Alberta Grizzly Bear
Survey 2010 - Video

In winter, bighorn herds move to lower-elevation mountain pastures. In all seasons, these animals eat available grass, seeds, and plants.
BIGHORN SHEEP TRANSPLANT

In October 2004, WSFA approached Alberta Fish and Wildlife about transplanting sheep onto Ram Mountain.

Rams and ewes were obtained from Cadomin for transplant to Ram Mountain in 2004, and again in 2005.
Alberta Fish & Wildlife officers and a veterinarian were present.

In December 2005, WSFA and the University of Alberta began a study of cougar population status, habitat use, and predation in Alberta's Clearwater County.
COUGAR POPULATION STUDY

Dogs were used to find and tree cougars so they could be tranquilized and have radio frequency collars applied to them.
COLLARED COUGAR
Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta, Box 2639, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1L6
Phone: 403-845-5544 ... E-Mail: info@wsfab.org ... Website: www.wsfab.org		 We accept Mastercard, Visa, and Interac.
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