To protect the only remaining U.S. population of the endangered Sonoran pronghorn, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge will temporarily close two public use roads to vehicles. This is the fawning season for the Sonoran Pronghorn, and any disturbance within their fawning range during this time could result in stress or death to Pronghorn fawns or does.
Charlie Bell Road and the eastern portion of the Camino del Diablo (Devils Highway) will be closed from March 15 to July 15.
The vehicle closure comes as a continuing severe drought causes stress to the animals, which have already begun to fawn, with two sets of twins born in February in the refuges semicaptive breeding enclosure.
North Americas fastest land animal, the Sonoran Pronghorn is related to four other subspecies of Pronghorn in western North America. There is only one Sonoran Pronghorn population in the United States, estimated at 75 animals. Two populations of Sonoran Pronghorn still exist in Sonora, Mexico, totaling about 600 animals.
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 in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Although the closure affects approximately 600,000 acres of the 860,010 acre refuge in southwest Arizona, the effect is considered minor because most of the lands involved are within designated Wilderness where motorized and mechanized uses are not allowed.
The western portion of the refuge will remain open for public use under free permit. Recreationists are reminded that four-wheel-drive is required for vehicles using the open public use road from Tule Well to Welton on Interstate 8. Hikers with permits may continue to use the refuge during this period.
Motorized recreational users may use the seasonally-closed routes after July 15.
For more information on the closure or on obtaining a free visitor permit, contact Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge at 520-387-6483 or 1611 N. 2nd Avenue, Ajo, AZ 85321.
Visit the Services website at http://www.fws.gov.
