Thinhorn Sheep Summits
Building upon the first-ever Thinhorn Sheep Summit I held three years ago in Richmond, British Columbia, this second gathering spent two days focused on evaluating challenges and opportunities for enhancing management of Dall’s and Stone’s sheep in Alaska, northern British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon Territory.
“With 30 generous business, organizational, and individual sponsors, the Wild Sheep Foundation was able to provide an excellent forum to discuss and prioritize management challenges faced by thinhorn sheep in these four northern jurisdictions,” said Kevin Hurley, WSF Senior Conservation Director and Thinhorn Sheep Program Lead. “Dall’s sheep and Stone’s sheep face a changing North,” added Hurley, “where human footprint, changing climates, and potential pathogen transmission from domestic sheep and goats require conservationists to step up, raise funds, take action, and work to ensure a bright future for thinhorn sheep.”
A synthesis of discussion and action items will be prepared over the next month, to be shared with summit attendees, wild sheep management agencies, and WSF Chapters and Affiliates around North America; this summary/synthesis will also be posted to WSF’s website, for public access and download.
“We brought the right mix of experts together to fully explain thinhorn sheep issues, identify needed resources, and prioritize next steps to be taken, to benefit Dall’s sheep and Stone’s sheep in the North,” added Gray N. Thornton, WSF President and CEO. “WSF and our dedicated members and partners will fully engage in the crucial work to maintain and enhance thinhorn sheep populations and their habitats,” stated Thornton.
Thinhorn Sheep Summit II Agenda
Thinhorn Sheep Summit II Presentations
Day 1 - Morning
- Thinhorn Sheep Summit II Overview - Kevin Hurley
- Jurisdictional Report - AK - Darren Bruning
- Jurisdictional Report - Yukon - Troy Hegel
- Jurisdictional Report - NWT - Heather Sayine-Crawford
- WAFWA Wild Sheep Working Group Perspective - Clay Brewer & Mike Cox
Day 1 - Afternoon
- First Nations Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Canada - Yukon - (Graham Van Tighem, Yukon Fish & Wildlife Management Board)
- First Nations Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Canada - BC - (Rick McLean, Chief, Tahltan Band Council)
- Federal Agency Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Alaska - National Park Service (David Payer & Kumi Rattenbury)
- Federal Agency Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Alaska - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (McCrea Cobb)
- Federal Agency Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Alaska - Bureau of Land Management (Jen McMillan)
- Federal Agency Role in Collaborative Management of Thinhorn Sheep in Alaska - U.S. Forest Service (Cheryl Carrothers)
- Thinhorn Sheep Genetics Analysis (Zijian Sim, University of Alberta/Alberta F&W)
Day 2 - Morning
- Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in Wild Sheep: Management-Relevant Research: Update & Needs - (Dr. Tom Besser, WSF Rocky Crate Wild Sheep Disease Chair, WSU) - Presented by Dr. Peregrine Wolff, American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, NDOW
- Disease Status, Surveillance and Challenges in Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - BC (Dr. Helen Schwantje, BC MFLNRO & Glenna McGregor, BC Ministry of Agriculture)
- Disease Status, Surveillance and Challenges in Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - YK (Dr. Jane Harms, Environment Yukon)
- Disease Status, Surveillance and Challenges in Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - NWT (Heather Sayine-Crawford, Gov’t NWT, Environment & Natural Resources)
- Strategies to Maintain/Achieve Disease-Free Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - AK (Dr. Bob Gerlach, AK State Vet)
- Strategies to Maintain/Achieve Disease-Free Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - AK (Kevin Kehoe, AK-WSF)
- Strategies to Maintain/Achieve Disease-Free Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - BC (Jeremy Ayotte, Sheep Separation Program Coordinator and Chris Barker, WSF)
- Strategies to Maintain/Achieve Disease-Free Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - YK (Dan Reynolds Dawson RRC, Graham Van Tighem, YFWMB)
- Strategies to Maintain/Achieve Disease-Free Thinhorn Sheep, by Jurisdiction - NWT (Heather Sayine-Crawford, GNWT, E&NR and Tavis Molnar, AMMO)
Thinhorn Resources
- WAFWA WSWG THS Conservation Challenges and Management Strategies for the 21st Century
- Thinhorn Sheep Summit Summary Synthesis
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (October 2014 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (November 2014 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (December 2014 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (January 2015 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (February 2015 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (March 2015 report)
- K&J Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (April 2015 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (August 2015 report)
- KJ Rinke Thinhorn Initiative (October 2015 Report)
