Pronghorn antelopes face increasing drought stress as climate change reduces the grasses and shrubs they depend on, with welfare consequences for individuals across their range.
Drought impacts pronghorn welfare through reduced forage quantity and quality, particularly for lactating does during fawn-rearing. Does in poor nutritional condition produce less milk and have lower fawn survival rates. Pronghorns that cannot migrate between seasonal ranges due to fencing face nutritional deficits during winter. Water source reliability is critical - wildlife water developments that provide reliable year-round water directly improve pronghorn welfare during drought periods.