Local landowners and rural residents have been advised of a project picking up this December in the southwest to collar pronghorn.
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment is collaborating with the Alberta Conservation Association in an effort to continue collaring pronghorn antelope on either side of the Trans Canada Highway in southwestern Saskatchewan.
Leanne Heisler, species manager for pronghorn with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment, shared that the catch zone runs from south of Kindersley to the US border and from the Alberta border to the east block of Grasslands National Park, with a small section extending to the Chaplin area.
“The collaring is part of a research project we’re doing on pronghorn winter survival and migration in both Saskatchewan and Alberta,” said Heisler. “It’s being led by the Alberta Conservation Association, and they’ve partnered with the Ministry of Environment for the Saskatchewan side of things.”
The collars remain on the antelope for three years before dropping off automatically. A remote release is also used in the case of issues such as collar malfunctions.
“If landowners would like to participate in the project, they can give me a call at (306)741-5016,” she said. “They can participate by reporting herds that they see out on their travels or sending a pin.
“If they have land in the capture zone and are comfortable with us landing a helicopter, they can also give me a call.”
The work involves helicopter activity and access to land, and owners must give permission for the ministry to access the land.
“The captures started last year, and we’ll capture animals this year, as well as next year,” Heisler added. “The collars transmit movement data to us.”
For more information, visit Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment on Facebook or head to the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.