Kingdom Animalia Genus Antilocapra Higher classification Pronghorn Order Even-toed ungulate | Family Antilocapridae Phylum Chordata Rank Subspecies | |
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Scientific name Antilocapra americana sonoriensis Similar Pronghorn, Mammal, Antilocapridae, Even‑toed ungulate, Desert bighorn sheep | ||
Sonoran pronghorn recovery
The Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) is an endangered subspecies of pronghorn that is endemic to the Sonoran Desert.
Contents
Sonoran pronghorn
Conservation
Around 200 animals currently are believed to exist in the United States, up from an estimated 21 individuals in 2002.
In 2012, announcements of two reintroductions were published in the Federal Register. One of the reintroductions was to take place at the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range (BMGR) in Yuma, Arizona, and the second was to be at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
Obstacles to recovery
There are numerous and ongoing threats to the survival of the Sonoran pronghorn. Not the least of these threats is the fact that much of their habitat is occupied by the BMGR, which is an active United States Air Force bombing range.
Adjacent to the BMGR is the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (CPNWR), also a critical breeding area for this species. Parts of the CPNWR are off-limits to visitors between mid-March and mid-July, during the fawning season, so as to minimize disturbance to herds containing fawns, which can result in the loss of fawns. Despite this fact, this area too is subject to constant environmental pressure. The accompaniments of illegal trafficking of people and drugs from Mexico (such as the construction of illegal roads and trails, reckless disposal of trash, destruction of vegetation and contamination of water sources) have significantly degraded the habitat. The response from law enforcement agencies (such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration) has also unfortunately exacerbated this problem.
