Pronghorns undertake the longest overland migration in the continental US. Fences blocking their ancient routes create welfare challenges that targeted modifications can resolve.
Pronghorn welfare is threatened by the fences that crisscross their migration corridors. Unlike deer and elk, pronghorns evolved on open grassland without significant vertical obstacles and are reluctant to jump. Barbed wire fences cause injuries when animals try to push through, and fences act as barriers that prevent migration to critical seasonal habitat. Simple modifications — raising the bottom wire from 30 to 46 cm — allow pronghorns to crawl under while retaining livestock containment. This low-cost solution, multiplied across thousands of fence miles, significantly improves migration success and reduces starvation mortality.