| Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1] | |
  Location in British Columbia | |
| Location | Kootenay Boundary, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°17′00″N 119°33′00″W / 49.283333°N 119.550000°W |
| Area | 812 ha (2,010 acres) |
| Designation | National Wildlife Area |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | Canadian Wildlife Service |
| Website | Vaseux-Bighorn NWA |
Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area is a National Wildlife Area in British Columbia, Canada, primarily set aside to protect winter rangeland for California bighorn sheep.[2] In 1979, the Vaseux-Bighorn Wildlife Area was established in response to substantial reduction in wild animal populations in the area.[3] Identified factors contributing to species decline at the time were high predator population, overharvesting of species, and illegal hunting. Land development, cattle raising, and lumbering also might have altered species populations.[4] Under these conditions, the area was able to be classified as a Category IV area by the IUCN and is now used for wildlife habitat and conservation.[5][3] Even with minimal anthropogenic use of the area, threats persist through invasive species.[3] Recreational use is limited spatially and is only open to the public during the day.[6][3]
- ^ "Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area". Protected Planet. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Vaseux Protected Area". Environment Canada. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d Canada, Environment and Climate Change (3 November 2011). "Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ "Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia". www.for.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (9 June 2014). "Vaseux–Bighorn National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 1". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ "Vaseux–Bighorn National Wildlife Area Management Plan" (PDF). Environment Canada. Retrieved 9 May 2019.