The Lower Similkmaeen Indian Band announced that three California Bighorn Sheep were euthanized after contracting a respiratory illness.

The bighorns had recently moved into an area where they weren't known to frequent and were believed to have interacted with a local rancher's domestic herd.

The rancher contacted the Okanagan Nation Alliance, which captured and and euthanized the bighorns.

ONA鈥檚 Senior tmix史(all living things) Biologist, Mackenzie Clarke, said the rancher did the right thing when he noticed the wild sheep in contact.

鈥淲ild sheep move around as the fall increases, especially in the rut. If we can keep our domestic sheep and goats away from them, it will be better for the wild herds and the domestic producers," said Clarke. 

The bighorns are believed to have contracted mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, or "M.ovi", which can cause symptoms in both domestic and wild sheep that range from as minor as a 鈥渞unny nose鈥� to very serious 鈥渃linical respiratory disease."

The heads of the bighorn sheep were frozen and sent to Nanaimo for clinical testing and recording. 

The rest of the animals were harvested, and if the horns are in good condition they will be removed and used to make ceremonial objects in conjunction with syilx or sm蓹lqm铆x tradition and customs, the LSIB said in a press release. 

There is free testing for domestic sheep and goats, and LSIB, in partnership with ONA, encourages everyone to use it. Information on the program can on the Province of British Columbia's website at gov.bc.ca.