To ensure protection and continued recovery of the endangered Sonoran pronghorn, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and National Park Service, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument have announced the closure of the eastern three-fourths of the Refuge and the northwest portion of the Monument to vehicle access and overnight backpacking.
On Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, this closure area will include access to Charlie Bell Road, Christmas Pass (Tacna) Road, and the El Camino del Diablo from 5 miles east of Tule Well to the eastern boundary of the Refuge adjoining the Monument. On Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the closure area will include access to Bates Well Road and Pozo Nuevo Road (extending north to El Camino del Diablo (Bates Well Road)).
In an attempt to assist the recovery of the species, these areas on the Refuge and Monument will be closed to all public-use activities, except day-hiking.
The Sonoran pronghorn was listed as an endangered species in 1967. In recent years, the overall population of the Sonoran pronghorn in the United States has declined to fewer than 100 adult animals due to habitat fragmentation, drought, and other adverse impacts. Another population of Sonoran pronghorn in nearby Mexico is also in decline.
Increasing the pronghorn populations is key to their survival; and spring and summer are critical times for the young. Bucks begin defending their territory in early spring. Meanwhile, fawns are born from late April to June. Does leave the deer-colored newborns hidden amongst the vegetation, returning to nurse them for 30 seconds every 5 hours. Disturbance of the pronghorn during this time of year can cause undue biological stress, or even death, for fawns and lactating females. Startled by vehicles or hikers, does and fawns naturally flee, increasing the effects of dehydration and depleting valuable energy reserves needed for the long, hot summer months ahead.
To assist the pronghorn with recovery, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and other conservation biologists are working together to formulate a joint strategy for recovery. Recreational closure during spring fawning is only one of several activities recommended in the Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Plan.
For more information on this closure or locations for alternative travel into the Refuge, please call the Refuge headquarters at 520-387-6483 or the Monument headquarters at 520-387-6849.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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