F.E. Warren AFB Pronghorn Went To Mexico For Conservation Mission
Some of Wyoming's most famous residents helped restore a critically endangered population in Mexico. Ten years ago, over 50 female pronghorn were transported from Warren Air Force Base to serve as surrogate mothers for fawns in Baja California.
The Peninsular pronghorn were part on an embryo transfer program between the thriving herd in Cheyenne and the endangered herd in the Mexican state, according to Atlas Obscura. Scientists took embryos from the healthiest females on the base and implanted them to females in Baja California, where drought and development have pushed the species to the verge of extinction.
Conservationists estimate there are approximately 200 Peninsular pronghorn left in the coastal region of northwest Mexico. Meanwhile, the pronghorn population has grown steadily in Wyoming and neighboring states.
Around 350 pronghorn live near Warren Air Force Base, where they are protected from predators and hunting. They are considered to be the only "urban herd" in the world and are often seen on streets and in residential neighborhoods around the base.
This article has been edited from its original version to reflect changes to the timeline of the program.