There are moments in the outdoors when a wildlife encounter becomes something much bigger than a photograph. It becomes a lesson in conservation, stewardship and the quiet work taking place behind the scenes to keep North America’s wild places truly wild.
That’s exactly what happened during a recent visit by our Higher Calling Wildlife team to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
Earlier in the day, our team spent time with children involved in one of our Colorado outreach efforts, sharing wildlife conservation gift packages and talking about God’s creation, conservation and the importance of becoming good stewards of the natural world. Watching young people get excited about wildlife is always one of the highlights of our trips. Those conversations are investments in the next generation of conservationists, and they remind us that protecting wildlife begins with inspiring people.
Later that day, we found ourselves receiving another lesson—this one from a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Driving the scenic loop through Garden of the Gods, we noticed movement high among the dramatic red sandstone formations. Looking closer, we spotted a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorns feeding and making their way across the rugged terrain. Even from a distance, they were magnificent.
I immediately knew I wanted to photograph them.
Rather than trying to shoot from the roadside, I hiked to a higher vantage point where I could safely photograph the sheep without disturbing them. Every step reinforced something I’ve learned after years of photographing wildlife: sometimes the effort required to reach a better perspective becomes part of the experience itself.
Watching those sheep effortlessly negotiate cliffs and ledges that seemed nearly vertical was a reminder that they are perfectly designed for a landscape that would challenge almost any other animal.
While photographing the herd, I met two officials whose responsibility is helping protect both the sheep and the thousands of visitors who pass through the park each year. Their work includes managing traffic when the animals approach the scenic loop and helping keep the sheep from wandering onto the roadway.
Then one of them mentioned something I had never heard before.
He explained they also work to discourage the sheep from crossing into an area where domestic sheep and goats are present because of the risk of disease transmission. Domestic sheep and goats can carry pathogens that may have little effect on them but can be devastating to wild bighorn populations.
That immediately caught my attention.
I’ve written about pneumonia and other disease concerns affecting Rocky Mountain bighorns, including management efforts involving mountain goats elsewhere in Colorado, but I had never heard about active efforts at Garden of the Gods specifically intended to keep these wild sheep separated from nearby domestic animals.
It was fascinating, and it’s something I intend to circle back on with park and wildlife leadership so I can learn more about how those efforts work and what role they play in protecting this remarkable herd.
It’s a reminder that some of the most important conservation work happens quietly.
Visitors see incredible wildlife against one of America’s most beautiful backdrops. What they often don’t see are the dedicated people working behind the scenes to reduce vehicle collisions, manage human interactions and help minimize disease risks that could threaten the future of these animals.
Across the West, diseases associated with contact between domestic sheep and wild bighorns have been one of the greatest challenges facing restoration efforts. Entire herds have suffered significant declines after pneumonia outbreaks, making prevention one of the highest priorities for wildlife managers and conservation organizations.
Fortunately, those organizations aren’t working alone.
Groups such as the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society have played major roles in supporting wild sheep conservation through habitat improvement, disease research, population restoration, educational programs and volunteer projects.
State wildlife agencies, biologists, hunters, wildlife photographers and conservation-minded citizens have all contributed to one of North America’s great wildlife success stories. Supporting organizations like these through memberships, fundraising events, volunteer work or simply helping spread awareness allows anyone to become part of that ongoing effort.
Standing there with my camera, I couldn’t help but think back to the children we had visited earlier in the day. We had encouraged them to care about wildlife and to understand that conservation isn’t just something professionals do—it’s something all of us can participate in.
Then, only hours later, we witnessed exactly what that looks like.
Dedicated professionals were protecting a wild herd. Conservation organizations were supporting long-term recovery efforts. Visitors were slowing down to admire the animals. And our team had the privilege of witnessing not only one of Colorado’s most iconic species, but also the network of people committed to ensuring those sheep remain part of this landscape for generations to come.
For our Higher Calling Wildlife team, Garden of the Gods became far more than another stop on a Colorado adventure. It became another reminder that every wildlife encounter has a deeper story. Sometimes that story is written across ancient stone cliffs.
Sometimes it’s found in the determined climb to reach a better photograph. And sometimes it’s told by the people whose daily work helps keep wild sheep wild.
Those are stories worth telling and lessons worth passing on to the next generation.
Chester Moore
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