Blood Origins Podcast Summary

Episode: Episode 570 - North American Pronghorn Foundation || A New Nonprofit
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Blood Origins Inc.

Introduction to the North American Pronghorn Foundation

In Episode 570 of the Blood Origins podcast, host Mike Axelrod introduces listeners to a significant new player in the conservation landscape: the North American Pronghorn Foundation. This nonprofit organization aims to address the pressing decline in pronghorn populations across North America, a subject that has previously garnered limited attention compared to other species-specific conservation efforts.

Founders and Their Motivations

Dean Krebs and Colin Fountain, both board members of the newly established foundation, share their personal and professional motivations for spearheading this initiative.

• Dean Krebs (04:58): "I love hunting pronghorn and I've brought up my kids hunting pronghorn. Pronghorn do not have a species-specific nonprofit dedicated to them, and there's a significant difference between their needs and those of other animals."

• Colin Fountain (06:29): "Growing up in Memphis, I was enchanted by the west and the pronghorn. After spending considerable time in Montana and other western states, I fell in love with these animals and am committed to enhancing their numbers and habitats."

Their combined passion highlights a gap in conservation efforts specifically tailored to pronghorns, motivating the establishment of the foundation.

Current Status of Pronghorn Populations

The conversation delves into alarming statistics regarding pronghorn populations across various states:

• Mike Axelrod (26:11): "In Texas, pronghorn populations are down by 4%, Oklahoma by 26%, New Mexico by 30%, Colorado by 26%, Utah by 4%, Wyoming by 22%, Nebraska by 20%, South Dakota by 6%, and North Dakota has seen a 37% decrease."

Only Washington and Nevada report positive population trends, whereas all other states with pronghorn presence are experiencing declines.

Challenges Facing Pronghorns

Several factors contribute to the declining pronghorn numbers:

1. Weather Events:

   • Dean Krebs (12:18): "A major weather event in the winter of 2023 in northwestern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming killed upwards of 80% of some pronghorn herds."

2. Habitat Degradation:

   • Dean Krebs (17:58): "Degradation of habitat and loss of sagebrush steppe ecosystems directly impact pronghorn populations."

3. Fencing Issues:

   • Dean Krebs (19:16): "Pronghorns prefer to go under fences rather than jump over them, making fencing a significant barrier to their migration and survival."

4. Wild Horses and Burros:

   • Dean Krebs (23:31): "Wild horses and burros have detrimental effects on native animals, including pronghorns."

Conservation Projects and Strategies

The foundation is implementing several targeted projects to mitigate these challenges:

1. Habitat Restoration and Enhancement:

   • Focus on restoring native grasses and sagebrush steppe ecosystems.
   • Dean Krebs (21:09): "Enhancing the quality of native grasses and addressing fencing issues are critical to supporting pronghorn habitats."

2. Fencing Solutions:

   • Installing non-barbed bottom wire fencing and adjusting fence spacing to allow pronghorns to pass safely.
   • Dean Krebs (24:06): "Working with landowners to implement fencing solutions that accommodate both livestock and pronghorns."

3. Research and Monitoring:

   • Investment in pronghorn connectivity studies to understand migration patterns and population dynamics.
   • Mike Axelrod (13:05): "Blood Origins has invested approximately $35,000 into a pronghorn connectivity study between Alberta, Montana, and Saskatchewan."

4. Addressing Wild Horse Populations:

   • Collaborating on projects to manage wild horse and burro populations to reduce ecological impacts on pronghorns.
   • Colin Fountain (23:31): "Assessing the ecological effects of wild horses and burros is essential for pronghorn conservation."

5. Innovative Tagging Solutions:

   • Exploring solar-powered ear tags as an alternative to radio collars, which can cause pronghorns to lose their fur.
   • Dean Krebs (21:09): "Solar-powered ear tags may provide a less invasive and more effective means of tracking pronghorns."

Organizational Development and Challenges

Dean Krebs and Colin Fountain discuss the complexities of establishing a new nonprofit:

• Nonprofit Status:

  • The foundation is in the final steps of obtaining 501(c)(3) status.
  • Dean Krebs (14:00): "The paperwork and process to establish the nonprofit properly have been time-consuming but essential for long-term sustainability."

• Board Structure:

  • The foundation boasts a diverse board with approximately ten members from various regions, ensuring a comprehensive approach to pronghorn conservation.
  • Colin Fountain (16:07): "Our board includes members from all over the United States, bringing a wide range of perspectives and expertise."

• Membership and Support:

  • Annual memberships are available at $35 for standard members and $250 for sponsors. The foundation offers merchandise and plans to introduce a life membership level.
  • Dean Krebs (32:11): "Our website, pronghorns.org, provides avenues for individuals to join, donate, and purchase merchandise to support our efforts."

Engaging the Community and Future Goals

The foundation seeks to build a strong community of supporters and hunters who can contribute to pronghorn conservation:

• Educational Outreach:

  • Dean Krebs (33:23): "For those unfamiliar with pronghorns, they're unique to North America and closely related to giraffes, not true antelopes as commonly mistaken."

• Membership Benefits:

  • Members gain access to updates, newsletters, and exclusive merchandise.
  • Colin Fountain (31:40): "Our blog and upcoming newsletter will keep members informed about our projects and progress."

• Long-Term Vision:

  • The foundation aims to create sustainable conservation practices that allow pronghorn populations to thrive despite environmental and human-induced challenges.
  • Dean Krebs (22:36): "We want to enhance pronghorn populations and their habitats to ensure their legacy continues for future generations."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Mike Axelrod wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support the North American Pronghorn Foundation:

• Dean Krebs (33:44): "Visit pronghorns.org to learn more about our mission, become a member, and support our conservation efforts."

• Colin Fountain (34:39): "Thank you for giving us the platform to share our vision. Your support is crucial as we build this foundation from the ground up."

The episode emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the critical role that dedicated individuals and organizations play in conserving pronghorn populations across North America.

Notable Quotes:

• Dean Krebs (04:58): "Pronghorn do not have a species-specific nonprofit dedicated to them, and there's a significant difference between their needs and those of other animals."

• Mike Axelrod (26:11): "In Texas, pronghorn populations are down by 4%, Oklahoma by 26%, New Mexico by 30%, Colorado by 26%, Utah by 4%, Wyoming by 22%, Nebraska by 20%, South Dakota by 6%, and North Dakota has seen a 37% decrease."

• Dean Krebs (19:16): "Pronghorns prefer to go under fences rather than jump over them, making fencing a significant barrier to their migration and survival."

• Dean Krebs (33:44): "For those unfamiliar with pronghorns, they're unique to North America and closely related to giraffes, not true antelopes as commonly mistaken."

Resources:

• North American Pronghorn Foundation Website: pronghorns.org
• Outdoor Life Article by Andrew McKean: Link to Article (Note: Replace with actual link if available)

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 570, capturing the essence of the discussions around pronghorn conservation, the establishment of the North American Pronghorn Foundation, and the collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by this unique species.