Fraser River Test & Remove: Restoring Bighorn Sheep in British Columbia with Chris Procter

In this WSSBC Summer Webinar Series episode, Kyle Stelter is joined by Chris Procter, Provincial Wild Sheep and Mountain Goat Specialist, along with Chris Barker and Hana Erikson, for an in-depth update on the Fraser River Test and Remove project. This important conservation effort is focused on addressing Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae — commonly known as MOVI — a bacteria linked to pneumonia outbreaks and long-term lamb recruitment challenges in wild sheep populations. Since 2020, the Fraser River Test and Remove project has worked to identify and remove carrier ewes in an effort to improve lamb survival and rebuild struggling bighorn sheep herds along the Fraser River. Chris Procter provides a detailed look at the science behind MOVI, how test and remove works, the results seen to date, and what still needs to be done. With more than 500 sheep captured and tested, 54 MOVI-positive sheep removed, and early signs of increased lamb survival and population growth, this project represents one of the most significant wild sheep disease recovery efforts in British Columbia. Chris Barker shares the Wild Sheep Society of BC’s role in helping launch, fund, and support the project, including the importance of partnerships, raffles, fundraisers, policy change, and continued advocacy to protect wild sheep from future disease transmission. Hana Erikson also highlights the critical role of volunteer sheep counts, why summer lamb monitoring matters, and how members and supporters can get involved directly on the landscape. This conversation is a powerful reminder of what can happen when science, conservation organizations, government biologists, First Nations, landowners, volunteers, and dedicated wild sheep advocates come together with a shared goal: keeping wild sheep on the mountain. Thank you to SITKA Gear for supporting this webinar series and for investing in wild sheep conservation. To learn more about MOVI and disease separation, visit: www.movifree.org To support WSSBC conservation work, become a member, volunteer, or purchase raffle tickets at: www.wildsheepsociety.com Topics covered: Fraser River bighorn sheep recovery MOVI and wild sheep pneumonia Test and Remove conservation work Lamb survival and sheep population monitoring Volunteer sheep counts Domestic sheep separation and policy needs WSSBC conservation funding and partnerships #WildSheepBC #BighornSheep #WildSheepConservation #WSSBC #FraserRiver #MOVI #Conservation #WildlifeManagement #SheepConservation #KeepWildSheepOnTheMountain