Tribes succeed at bringing endangered antelope back to homelands

Friday, June 2, 2017  

When it comes to endangered species, tribes are succeeding where the state of Washington failed.

The state tried three times in the early 20th century to reintroduce the pronghorn antelope, Pacific Standard reported. It wasn't until 2011, when the Yakama Nation came on the scene, that the animal finally returned to Washington in significant numbers.

The most recent survey counted 121 antelope on the reservation. The animals are surviving despite harsh winter conditions, the report stated.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are also succeeding with the antelope, Pacific Standard reported. The reintroduction program there started in January 2016.

"From our anthropologists and historians, we know there were pronghorn here," Chairman Mike Marchand told the magazine. But hunting and loss of habitat led to their demise.

"We don't know the word for antelope," Marchand added. "That sort of tells you something. It has been a while."

Read More on the Story:
Jimmy Tobias: This Native Tribe Is Reintroducing a Disappeared Species on Its Own Land (Pacific Standard 5/31)