Photo: Bighorn Sheep Ram Picture Jasper National Park Alberta

Two Bighorn Sheep graze on the grass with their herd along the Yellowhead Highway in Jasper National Park, Alberta. This National Park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seemingly accustomed to traffic stopping to check them out, two Bighorn Sheep continue grazing on the grass along the highway in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. These two Bighorn Sheep are rams distinguished from the rest of the herd by their large curly horns. This picture was taken along the Yellowhead Highway which stretches through Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta. These Bighorn Sheep rams and their herd are lucky to have the protection of living in Jasper National Park, which is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a place in which they are protected.

Bighorn sheep are found in North America and their giant horns can weigh anywhere up to 30 pounds. The sheep originally came from Siberia, so they are genetically used to being in very cold weather, but due to the fact that they were hunted in North America during the 1900s their population dropped dangerously low. Conservation efforts have now pushed their numbers back up to a safer level, although one species is still considered endangered.

Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies so it is home to many other animals as well. Aside from Bighorn sheep, Jasper National Park is home to elk, moose, caribou, grizzly bears, black bears, beavers, mountain lions and even wolverines. The Bighorn sheep are in good company.

Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis, grazing on grass along the Yellowhead Highway, Jasper National Park, Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada. Jasper National Park forms part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.