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A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts looks at the growing body of data around the millions of mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and other large ungulates (hoofed mammals) that migrate across the Western United States each year. Ungulates travel great distances between summer and winter habitats, supporting many species by transporting seeds, moving biomass and nutrients across the landscape, and feeding predators. Along the way they support billions of dollars in economic output from activities such as hunting and wildlife tourism.
Scientists’ understanding of these migrations has been revolutionized in recent years thanks to GPS technology in the form of collars affixed to individual animals. This technology enables researchers to pinpoint when, where, and how wildlife traverse across the vast landscapes of the American West. The report, “How to Conserve Wildlife Migrations in the West,” promotes further integration of the rapidly evolving research with state, tribal, and federal management and policy efforts. Since the beginning of 2022, seven Western states have passed legislation to maintain wildlife habitat and movement, a watershed moment for landscape-scale connectivity efforts.
Pew’s report supports the finding that ungulate migrations are a critical part of the life cycle. Animals that migrate successfully are more likely to survive the winter and produce healthier young. When migration pathways are disrupted due to development, transportation systems, urban sprawl, fencing, and energy and mineral extraction operations, animals cannot access adequate food or habitat and populations tend to decline. In addition to identifying several key threats, Pew developed a set of recommendations to help land and wildlife managers, conservationists, industry, and others better coordinate and direct their efforts to conserve migratory corridors.
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As a Cheyenne woman raising my children here, I just want to have a different connection to the mountain than the Evans name.”
