Radium Hot Springs is known for the bighorn sheep that roam the Village. If you’ve spent time in town, you’ve probably seen them around! Here are a few facts that you may not know about the local bighorns.
- Ram’s horn can weigh up to 30 pounds! That’s more than all of the other bones of the bighorn combined. Fun fact: Visit the Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre to see and feel how heavy the horns are.
- In the winter, you are more likely to see Bighorn Sheep as they like to spend colder months in the Village of Radium. In the summer, they like to stay in high-elevation areas to stay cool.
- Female Bighorn sheep, called ewes, have short, spikey horns. Ewes generally travel together with the young sheep and babies.
- Bighorn Sheep are used in concussion research! Scientists study the animals to discover how their skulls protect their brains from damage when headbanging.
- Radium Hot Springs is getting an wildlife overpass to keep the bighorn herd safe.
If you are looking for the bighorn sheep during your summer stay in Radium Hot Springs, be sure to check the Redstreak Campground and Sinclair Canyon. If you are here in the winter months, be prepared to see bighorn sheep at the Springs Golf Course, in-and-around Radium Hot Springs like the Visitor Centre.
Lead image by Shaunna McInnis