American Pronghorn Habitat Connectivity, Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park

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The pronghorn population in Arizona has severely declined since the late 1800�s, with the largest impacts over the last 30 years caused by dramatic land development and habitat fragmentation. Pronghorn have great difficulty crossing range fences, and are even more averse to crossing highways. A series of pronghorn telemetry studies around Wupatki National monument (WUPA) since 1992 have highlighted the habitat barrier effect of U.S. Highway 89 (US 89) on the local pronghorn population. Recent genetic research confirms US 89 and other major highways across the plateau are critical long-term movement barriers, with distinct pronghorn subpopulations developing within the habitat blocks they form. As the climate warms, pronghorn will likely need to range even longer distances to reach quality summer range and available water. Under this project, NPS Natural Resource funding will contribute to a partnership of multiple state and federal agencies, private ranches, and non-profit organizations to reconnect 2,700 square miles of American pronghorn habitat across the Coconino Plateau of northern Arizona. Pronghorn telemetry data will be acquired to compare movement responses to these habitat connectivity treatments to control data acquired during 2007-2010. Landscape level planning and widespread implementation of modification projects was initiated in 2011. The study objectives include testing the effectiveness of the various modifications; developing valid design specifications for pronghorn-friendly highway and range fences; assessing pronghorn habitat utilization in juniper reduction areas; and prioritizing key habitat connectivity areas and corridors, including areas that increase mobility and resiliency under climate-driven habitat change scenarios. The research directly supports planning for a pronghorn passage across US 89 near WUPA, which could be the first of its kind for this species within Arizona. The study results will also be available for planning future pronghorn habitat connectivity actions under fine-scale climate warming scenarios.

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