Pronghorn face increasing welfare challenges from drought-driven water scarcity in the American West, with climate change intensifying these threats across their range.
Drought conditions create significant welfare stress for pronghorn through dehydration, nutritional stress from dried vegetation, and the energetic cost of ranging widely to find water. Animals in severe drought show visible signs of poor body condition and may be found near human water sources in desperation. Fawns born to nutritionally stressed does during drought have reduced survival rates. Climate change projections suggest droughts will become more frequent and severe across pronghorn range, making water security an increasingly important welfare consideration. Water developments - wildlife-friendly stock ponds, guzzlers, and modified irrigation infrastructure - directly provide welfare support during drought events that would otherwise cause dehydration and starvation for pronghorn unable to reach natural water sources.