Pronghorn undertake the longest land migration in the contiguous United States - livestock fencing fragments their routes causing welfare harm and population isolation.
Pronghorn migration welfare is threatened by infrastructure fragmentation of ancient movement corridors. Animals attempting to cross impassable fences under predation pressure sustain injuries or die entangled. Those turned back by fences may face starvation if cut off from seasonal feeding grounds. The welfare solution is technically straightforward and relatively inexpensive: raising bottom fence wires to 45 cm allows pronghorn passage while maintaining livestock containment. Coordination between landowners, ranchers and conservation organisations across the migration route is the implementation challenge. Consumer awareness of the pronghorn migration story builds support for conservation funding.