The numbers of endangered Sonoran pronghorn on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding lands indicate significant improvement from the previous survey taken in 2002.
mso-paginationLast week the Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Air Force and Marine Corps conducted a biennial survey and capture of Sonoran pronghorn, the United States? most endangered land mammal. Surveyors observed 39 animals, a substantial increase from the 18 counted in 2002, when one of the most severe droughts on record eliminated 90% of the U.S. population.
mso-pagination
mso-pagination"The results of the survey are extremely encouraging," said Dale Hall, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service's Southwest Region.
mso-pagination
mso-paginationIn 2002 biologists were uncertain if the Sonoran pronghorn in Arizona could be saved, but an enormous effort made by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Department of Defense to put habitat improvements and emergency waters in place appears to have paid off. There is increasing hope for the pronghorn's chances for survival based on the habitat improvements and survey numbers, coupled with excellent early rains this fall.
mso-pagination
Four does were captured during the survey near Ajo, Arizona. Their sonograms indicate all are pregnant, three with twins. All four animals are in good health. They have been placed in the Childs Valley captive breeding enclosure, which holds one male and two females that were placed there earlier this year. Habitat conditions within the one-square mile enclosure near Ajo are excellent. Arizona Game and Fish Department monitors the pronghorn daily.
The survey and capture are remarkable examples of successful cooperation between federal, state, private and Mexican wildlife managers and dedicated volunteers. Wildlife biologists and veterinarians involved in the program include the Los Angeles Zoo, Disney World of Florida and the Phoenix Zoo. Protocols developed during capture attempts last year proved successful, with no animals injured or lost.
The Sonoran pronghorn (commonly referred to as ?antelope?) is now one of the most endangered mammals in the world. Its population has declined drastically in the last century due to habitat loss, unregulated hunting in the early 1900s and natural causes. In the fall of 2002, surveys of the United State's population of Sonoran pronghorn fell to only 18 animals following a series of unusually dry years in which few fawns were born and fewer survived. The Sonoran pronghorn population in Mexico, although larger than that in the U.S., is still endangered, and is expected to provide additional breeding stock in the ongoing international effort to preserve this valuable species.
The Sonoran pronghorn was listed as endangered in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation Act. Endangered species status means that a plant or animal is ??any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.? A recovery plan for the animal has been prepared, but the recent severe drought conditions have worsened the animal's chance for survival without the current management actions.
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge wildlife biologist and Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Team Coordinator Mike Coffeen and biologists with the Arizona Game and Fish Department are excited with the prospects for success in the recovery effort. "This is a highly significant action toward the continuing welfare of the species," said Coffeen.
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to help protect dwindling populations of desert bighorn sheep. Today Refuge management focuses on the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and its wildlife.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System that encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 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.
-FWS-
