Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society

2009, Volume 45


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Year2009
Volume45
TitleA Review of Literature Pertaining to Pronghorn in California from 1769 To 2009
Author(s)Jim D. Yoakum, Alice J. Koch
ArticleLink to PDF

Abstract:
Recent assessment of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) translocations and urban development projects has revived interest in the legacy of pronghorn in California. These issues are of increased public concern, especially development projects that impact scarce native grassland ? habitat for the few remaining herds in southern California. Therefore, the scientific and popular literature for pronghorn in California was investigated with an objective of making this data readily available for concerned sources. More than 125 reports from 1769 (Bolton 1927, Crisby 2003) to 2009 were located. Although pronghorn were historically abundant in California, few remain today, and these are predominantly located on northeastern rangelands. The impact of insidious civilization developments appears deleterious to herds experiencing perilously low numbers south of San Francisco. The plight of these wild herds is apparently tied to the perpetuation of native grassland abundant with forbs. There is concern that if pronghorn are to remain a heritage on southern rangelands of the ?Golden State,? that native grasslands need to be perpetuated in healthy condition ? then it may be feasible to perpetuate native pronghorn populations.


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