Page 13 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 8-28-15

Thunderbolt Aug. 28, 2015
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me on range

mid-August 2001 to the Susan Gladstein Susan Gladstein
ontributed to the lowest
ly 21 animals. Nan Nourn, a contract biologist, marks locations on the map of the Barry Using spotting scopes, binoculars and telemetry surveillance, Nicole
y required immediate M. Goldwater Range - East to indicate target closures for July 29 due to So- Tautfest, Bio-Environmental and Quality Control Manager for Chiulista
he Sonoran Pronghorn noran pronghorn sightings in the vicinity. An annual report of pronghorn Services, Inc. and contract biologist, monitors target areas inhabited
an interagency group of monitoring is produced and includes the date and location of any Sonoran by Sonoran pronghorn on the Barry M. Goldwater Range - East. A
S. and Mexico, including pronghorn observed by U.S. Air Force personnel and contractors, and de- team of contract biologists typically conduct their monitoring at dawn,
Marine Corps land man- scribes in detail how each of the conservation measures was implemented. prior to initial training missions, when sighting conditions are best.
ear the U.S. population
would be exterminated BMGR BMGR John Kulberg
managers intervened to
y and increase fawn sur- factoids partners Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Team members work together to move
the time was almost nil. animals from the processing station to an awaiting truck, trailer or he-
first actions was the The Barry M. Goldwater The owners and managers of licopter. Each pronghorn is assigned to a release destination to help
mporary water sources. Range is a vast training range adjacent lands, including the U.S. boost the wild population in a particular area of their range. About 30
rch indicated Sonoran for U.S. and allied pilots. It Fish and Wildlife Service, Nation- animals are scheduled to be released from the Cabeza Prieta National
marily obtained water consists of 1.7 million acres of al Park Service, Bureau of Land Wildlife Refuge semi-captive breeding facility in December.
n. But remote cameras relatively undisturbed Sonoran Management and the Tohono
ortable water troughs Desert southwest of Phoenix O’odham Nation, are consulting Erin Fernandez
horn drinking surface between Yuma and Tucson. partners who advise the Air Force
scovery initiated con- and Marine Corps in managing Aaron Alvidrez, 56th Range Management Office wildlife biologist,
manent water drinkers Overhead is 8,500 square the Goldwater Range. The range holds a Sonoran pronghorn while Arizona Game and Fish Department
ghorn range. miles of airspace, including complex includes military special- personnel secure an ear tag. All pronghorn released from the semi-
m action was the devel- 57,000 cubic miles of restricted use airspace that extends over captive breeding facility are fitted with ear tags and radio collars and
ral forage enhancement airspace where pilots practice these neighboring lands and is given vaccinations before being released into the wild.
roundwater is used to air-to-air maneuvers and engage used by all aviation branches of
tural vegetation, at the simulated battlefield targets on the U.S. Armed Services, in addi-
ge and elsewhere. These the ground. Roughly the size tion to allied aviation units.
nded to enhance prong- of New Jersey, the immense
y providing native forage complex allows for simultane- The Air Force and Marine
ods. ous training activities at nine Corps jointly implement an Inte-
nificant emergency re- air-to-ground and two air-to-air grated Natural Resources Man-
was the construction of ranges. agement Plan that incorporates
breeding pen at Cabeza ecosystem management prin-
l Wildlife Refuge. Con- Luke Air Force Base manages ciples to ensure that military
collaboratively funded the eastern 1.05 million acres lands support present and future
team member agencies, of the Range, known as BMGR training requirements while pre-
Air Force and Marine East. Marine Corps Air Station serving, improving and enhancing
quare mile in area, the Yuma oversees operations on ecosystem integrity.
the western portion of the range.
natural environment
orn remain wild and “The recovery team continues to have been strong partners, and the
om predators. In 2004, work toward releasing animals in Goldwater Range will continue to
ding stock (10 females additional locations within their his- serve its dual role as a national asset
was captured from the torical range and finalizing the new for military training and as a stun-
d into the pen. Within habitat management plan and recov- ning landscape where the flora and
ough fawns were being ery plan,” Alvidrez said. “Through it fauna of the Sonoran Desert may
gin release of yearlings. all, the Air Force and Marine Corps flourish.”
11 years, some 130 ani-
n released from the pen

of the pen also led to
recovery action: estab-
ther herd in the United
ez said. “The pronghorn
completed an environ-
ment to establish addi-
pronghorn populations
oric range in southern
11, a new semi-captive
y was constructed on the
ational Wildlife Refuge
ith animals from the
pen.”
Alvidrez, the Kofa pen
d 50 animals.
leases beginning in 2013
ome 20 pronghorn in the
he said. “KNWR is well
ching its goal of sustain-
ulation of 150 animals.”
oks bright for Sonoran