This Banff National Park hiker learned the hard way why its a bad idea to get up close and personal with its resident bighorn sheep population.
Bighorn sheep are the second most common ungulate in the park, only after elk, and are well adapted to rugged alpine terrain where their muscular builds and specialized hooves allow them to navigate rocky slopes and escape predators with ease.
Rams weigh up to 300lbs and their namesake horns alone can tip the scales at 30lbs. Though not generally considered aggressive, bighorn sheep will defend their territory when challenged and can deliver a mighty blow when they do. Thankfully this hiker who thought it was a bright idea to climb up and get closer for a better picture didn’t get rammed but he did end up faceplanting while evading a fast approaching ram to the delight of his friends.
“We kept telling him it wasn’t a good idea to do that. Well, I decided I was going to record the encounter! He ended up with cuts on his face and gums from sliding down the cliff side. It was hilarious.”
The chance of seeing wildlife is one of the most exciting things about visiting Banff National Park but is important to treat wild animals with respect. Approaching too closely threatens their survival and once wildlife become accustomed to being around humans they are in danger of losing the very thing that makes them special, their wildness.
