Cabeza Prieta Seasonal Closure Protects Endangered Sonoran Pronghorn

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge will close approximately three-quarters of its lands to public entry from March 15 to July 15 to protect the only remaining U.S. population of the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. This is the fawning season for the Pronghorn, and any incursion into their fawning range during this time could result in disturbance or death of Pronghorn fawns or does.

There is only one Sonoran Pronghorn population in the United States . An estimated 85 percent of the U.S. population died during a severe drought in 2001 and 2002, and the remaining U.S. population is currently estimated to consist of 20 to 30 animals. Two populations of Sonoran Pronghorn still exist in Sonora , Mexico , totaling 300-400 animals.

North America