BajaNomad - Antelope Preserve

Antelope Preserve

DianaT - 2-18-2008 at 01:18 PM

One of the Pronghorn Antelope Preserves is right off the road out to Bahia Asuncion. We knew our friend was working there yesterday, so we grabbed another couple staying in Asuncion and drove out there. It is an interesting project. This animals used to range down to Cabo, but were almost killed off.

At this preserve they have about 300 fully contained animals and fewer at their other preserve which is a lot larger in area. Thus, they are carefully controlling the breeding and relocating the babies to the bigger Preserve.

It was the middle of the day---not good photo time---but here are a few.

The males are all kept behind an electrified wire fence where they are fed.

I asked John to grab the fence to see what part was electified so that I could take better pictures---I won't repeat his response as this is a family forum. :tumble:

The Los Angeles Zoo is one of the organizations very involved in this project. They are doing genetic testing and decide which male will breed with which female.

Because the mothers are giving birth right now, we were not able to go back to where the mothers are kept. However, our friend, Jamie radioed one of the other workers, Leon, and told us to wait as he was bringing in a baby---one born just the day before.

The babies are carefully checked out---hood over the face, measured and weighed and then transported to the other preserve where they are hand fed.

Jaime said the mother just sends out a strong scent from the rear and hoof scent glands when they capture the baby. However, since they usually have twins, they were just capturing one of the babies, but now they have a quota for trying to populate the other preserve. He liked it better when they were only taking one baby away----I know, there we go again, giving human emotions over to animals, but those mothers are upset for a few days.

We hope the project works well.

John and Diane

Natalie Ann - 2-18-2008 at 01:42 PM

I really enjoy these shots and your story, Diane. I'm not clear about something.... they take the babies to populate the other preserve? Don't those babies need their mothers in order to be fed and grow strong? Are they taking the babies right after birth, or does this part happen later?

Nena

DianaT - 2-18-2008 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann
I really enjoy these shots and your story, Diane. I'm not clear about something.... they take the babies to populate the other preserve? Don't those babies need their mothers in order to be fed and grow strong? Are they taking the babies right after birth, or does this part happen later?

Nena

Babies are taken the day or day after they are born. At the other preserve they are bottle fed four times a day. Besides the Los Angeles Zoo, The Living Desert and the San Diego Zoo are involved as is another group from Houston. They send volunteers down to help.

So far this season, they have relocated 20 and hope to have 50 before the season ends. We were also surprised to find out these animals have an eight month gestation period.

Jamie and the other workers are really devoted to their jobs---and they have built a great palapa office, housing, lab, and the cutest bathroom---all palapa style, with nice woodwork (Jaime is also a carpenter), tile etc. Everything was spotlessly clean. They are solar powered and recently obtained satelite internet.

It is worth a trip for anyone interested in just seeing what they are doing. It is close to the main road from Vizcaino and very easy to find. AND, if your Spanish is like ours, very much on the learning curve, Jamie speaks excellent English. He is there for one week at a time---every other week.

Diane and John

shari - 2-18-2008 at 02:38 PM

It was an honor for me to volunteer at the onset of this project when we bottle fed the first 6 babies...it was a great experience with these amazing creatures. I LOVE the photo of the one who looks like he is smiling!!! fabulous Diane...I highly recommend this place, it is very interesting. But I am sad they are taking both babies..poor moms...but this means they will go into estres again quicker. While I think it is wonderful they are trying to repopulate the area, I understand that the motives may be to sell permits to big game hunters to trophy hunt these lovely antelope...geee whiz

Cypress - 2-18-2008 at 03:41 PM

jdtrotter, Thanks for the pics. :yes:

David K - 2-18-2008 at 04:17 PM

Terrific photos!!!

durrelllrobert - 2-19-2008 at 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
One of the Pronghorn Antelope Preserves is right off the road out to Bahia Asuncion.

In case some Nomads don't know it these are not antelope:
Entirely unique on this planet, the Pronghorn's scientific name, Antilocapra americana, means "American antelope goat." But the deer-like Pronghorn is neither antelope nor goat -- it is the sole surviving member of an ancient family dating back 20 million years. :?:

baja-spirit - 2-19-2008 at 10:50 AM

Love the pictures... have always wanted to see one of the Pronghorn Antelope. Thanks so much for the photos!!!

Lauriboats - 2-19-2008 at 11:06 AM

Thanks for the great pictures, we are planning a trip to Bahia Asuncion in March to see the area and visit with Juan and Shari. We will most definitely stop at the Preserve.

DianaT - 2-19-2008 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
One of the Pronghorn Antelope Preserves is right off the road out to Bahia Asuncion.

Are not the only real antelope in Africa?? I did know that antelope is only the common name.

They are quite interesting animals. We have seen lots of them in the US in different places, but I understand these are a sub-species of the ones in the US.

I found it really interesting that the LA Zoo is doing the genetics in order to protect the herd. We just hope they are successful.

Diane

gringorio - 2-19-2008 at 06:56 PM

Great information - thanks for posting this... Love the photos with the details of what is happening too!