Pronghorn antelope complete some of the longest land migrations in North America, facing significant welfare threats from fencing, roads, and habitat fragmentation.
Pronghorn welfare on migration routes is threatened by fencing that blocks movement, causing pronghorn to pile up against barriers, exhaust themselves, or die of starvation when cut off from winter forage. Road mortality causes acute injury and death, and the traffic stress of crossing busy highways creates significant fear responses. Wildlife-friendly fence modification — raising bottom wire height to 18 inches or replacing barbed wire with smooth wire — substantially increases passage success. Wildlife corridors and targeted road crossing infrastructure represent high-impact welfare and conservation investments.