Concern rises for pronghorns losing their habitat

Black Forest residents are voicing their concerns regarding a unique animal inhabiting the state.

Pronghorns are known to dwell in the wide open plains of Colorado. They will have to find a new place to call home due to development happening in the same area they have been for decades.

Between Old Ranch and Cowpoke along Black Forest Road is a huge piece of land that now has houses and a school being built on top of it. People say they are worried that the pronghorn will have nowhere else to go. Angela Katava is one of those people. She says, “The herd of about 100 has been here for hundreds of years. So, I am very concerned about their home being taken away.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Colorado Springs have heard these concerns and have worked with the land developer to figure out solutions to these issues. Travis Sauder with Colorado Wildlife says, “Our biologist went along with a wildlife officer to take a look at it. These animals are extremely great at navigating getting over and under fences.”

The entire field is surrounded by barbed wire fencing, but in certain spots, officials raised the wiring so the pronghorn can get out unharmed, “We raised up that bottom chain to 18 inches. That makes it a lot easier for the antelope to duck under,” says Sauder.

However, some of the locations where pronghorn can get out leads directly to a busy road. Katava says that creates potential dangers for the antelope and also drivers, “It is very hazardous for them and also for drivers who don’t know they live nearby.”

The goal is to have the pronghorn move east where there are other large fields for them to live.