Mortality Risk to Young Pronghorns from Handling

Because of scientific, management, and ethical considerations, it is important to know if capture and handling of neonatal ungulates increases their mortality risk. At the National Bison Range in northwestern Montana, where coyotes annually kill many young, I captured and marked young pronghoms (Antilocapra americana) in most years from 1981 to 1996 and recorded the number that were bom and the number that survived to weaning each year. Mortality of young was ≥56% in all years, and the number of coyotes removed from the range of pronghorns in May and June was significantly correlated with the percentage of young that survived. Capture effort varied from none to intense among years, and not all young were captured in any year. I found no evidence that mortality risk was increased due to handling. With proper precautions, one may handle young pronghoms without exposing them to additional risk.