Wild Pronghorn Migration and Welfare

Pronghorn undertake one of the longest land mammal migrations in the Western Hemisphere, and their welfare is threatened by fencing, roads, and development that obstruct ancient migration routes.

Key Facts

Pronghorn in Wyoming migrate up to 300 miles between summer and winter range in one of the longest North American migrations
They are the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, capable of sustained speeds of 55 mph
Barbed wire fencing is a major obstacle — pronghorn cannot jump high and attempt to go under fences, causing injury
Highway mortality during migration is significant, particularly where roads intersect traditional corridors
The Path of the Pronghorn is North America's longest intact wildlife migration corridor, now partially protected

Welfare Considerations

Pronghorn welfare is challenged most acutely during migration: the combination of barbed wire entanglement, vehicle collisions, and energy expenditure from obstruction-forced detours causes injuries and deaths across populations that evolved for free movement across open landscapes. Individual animals injured by wire entanglement face prolonged suffering if not discovered and treated. Those killed by vehicles die from traumatic injury. Conservation programs that modify fencing to allow passage, build wildlife crossings at key road intersections, and protect migration corridor habitat directly reduce these welfare harms across the seasonal cycle.

What You Can Do

Support Wyoming migration corridor protection programs and Path of the Pronghorn conservation
Advocate for wildlife-friendly fencing standards on public lands in pronghorn range
Donate to organizations building wildlife crossings at key road corridors
Learn about pronghorn migration as one of North America's great wildlife spectacles