The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation donated$ 250, 000 to support studies aimed at laying out more western habitat migration pathways for deer, mule deer, and deer, as well as other wildlife species like ptarmigan animal.
According to Matt Kauffman, a wildlife biologist and researcher with the U. S. Geological Survey ( USGS ) and the University of Wyoming who is in charge of the Corridor Mapping Team,” by working with state and tribal wildlife agencies, we are producing detailed maps of where animals migrate across large landscapes, which will benefit the health of these herds and aid the conservation of their corridors.” In our joint effort to image ungulate migrations across the West, RMEF has been a resolute supporter of this labor and an important NGO partner.
Development is aided by migratory maps, which also identify crucial private lands that support migrant herds, the need for road crossing structures, and dangerous fencing.
In accordance with Secretarial Order 3362, scientists have mapped roughly 200 corridors across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming over the past five years.
150 corridors were cataloged in Volumes 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the USGS tracking series” Ungulate Migrations in the Western United States” thanks to grants provided by RMEF. The actions of 40 additional herds are documented in size 4, which will be released in January 2024.
As a hunter-based protection business, “advancing technology to improve the conservation and effective management of elk and other wildlife is key to who we are and our corporate priorities,” said Fred Lekse, chair of the RMEF Board of Directors. For large, healthy herds to support hunting, movement is necessary.
With this most recent commitment, RMEF has received more than$ 3.5 million in funding from partners to identify and preserve migration corridors over the past six years alone.
To hasten the restoration of northern big game migration corridors, RMEF and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies only committed$ 1.2 million last month.
