Joint effort saves Pronghorn at BMGR

  • Published
  • By Teresa Walker
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In 2002, the estimated 18 Sonoran pronghorn surviving in the desert were in danger of becoming extinct. Just five years later, they number 100-plus, largely because of a captive breeding enclosure and the commitment of several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Air Force. 

The 56th Range Management Office plays a fundamental role in Sonoran pronghorn management and recovery actions since the species populates the Barry M. Goldwater Range. 

The RMO has a dedicated biologist, along with a team of contracted biologists, whose job it is to study, monitor, assist and support the interagency cooperative efforts that the Air Force and other agencies put into the recovery of the fastest animal in North America and the second-fastest land mammal on earth, exceeded only by the African cheetah. 

"I think it's important to have strong relationships between all the agencies who are contributing funds and manpower for improvements," said Aaron Alvidrez, 56th RMO wildlife biologist. "We assist Arizona Game and Fish with pronghorn surveys, captures, data interpretation and forage enhancement plots. There's a lot that goes into the program besides
funding." 

In an anxious attempt to recover the species genetically specific to the Sonoran desert, water points were established to combat drastic drought conditions and forage enhancement plots were set up for the animals. The collective decision was made to build a captive breeding pen on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to the Goldwater Range. As of April 2007, there are a total of 18 fawns in the pen, bringing the total number inside the pen to 41. Seven adult females had twins, and four had singles. 

To minimize operational impacts and gain a better understanding of the animals, the 56th RMO goes to great lengths to insure the safety of the animals. Contracted biologists are used to survey and monitor for Sonoran pronghorn in known habitat areas prior to any missions taking place on the range. When pronghorn are present, targets are closed based on their type and proximity to the animals; training and inert ordnance targets within 3 kilometers of sightings are closed for the day; and high explosive hills within 5 kilometers of sightings are closed for the day. Typically, scheduled missions are diverted to other targets if available, or cancelled if no alternate targets are available. 

The RMO employs a modified range maintenance schedule to further reduce potential effects on the Sonoran pronghorn during the fawning season. Of the animals outside the breeding enclosure, 14 are wearing radio collars for data collection. The collars allow them to be located, tracked and observed easily. 

"After we collect the data, we look for trends, such as high use areas." said Alvidrez. 

According to Alvidrez, the concerns for the future are the same as in the past, with one added factor. 

"I wouldn't say we are home-free. But, because we have the pen and the ability to irrigate and provide supplemental feed, we won't allow the species to go extinct," he said. 

Undocumented alien border activity has an effect on the recovery efforts as well. 

"They have been known to break open the mine pipes in search of water," said Alvidrez. "The biggest impact is disturbance in fawning habitat and displacing the animals from the water that's intended for them. The animals won't approach the water source if someone is there." 

Recently, with the help of eight volunteer Marines from Yuma, the RMO-contracted biologists significantly expanded one of the water wells. Five storage pipes were added, increasing the volume to 5,000 gallons of water. The work was all done by helicopter and hand digging, since it is in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. 

There are five programs to which the RMO contributes manpower and funding in an effort to recover the Sonoran pronghorn: forage plots, aerial surveys, captive breeding facility, habitat and conservation. In addition to the Air Force, the U.S. Marines, Arizona Game and Fish, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife all contribute manpower and funding to this effort.