Pronghorn antelope undertake the longest terrestrial migration in the lower 48 states, and fencing, roads, and development fragmentation create welfare challenges along their routes.
Pronghorn migration welfare is intimately connected to landscape connectivity. Animals that evolved to move freely between seasonal ranges face acute welfare consequences when those movements are blocked by fencing, roads, and development. Pronghorn stranded in areas with inadequate winter forage by blocked migration routes experience nutritional stress and starvation. Those attempting to cross roads face vehicle collision risk. Fence entanglement causes injury and death. The welfare cost of migration barrier fragmentation accumulates across populations as animals repeatedly encounter obstacles during movements essential for survival. Wildlife-sensitive infrastructure design — underpasses, overpasses, and fence modifications — and protected corridor designation directly translate to improved pronghorn welfare outcomes.