Evaluating Diet Composition of Pronghorn in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Authors

Christopher N. Jacques, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Jaret D. Sievers, South Dakota State University
Jonathan A. Jenks, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Chad L. Sexton, South Dakota State University
Daniel E. Roddy, United States National Park Service, Wind Cave National Park

Date of this Version

12-2006

Document Type

Article

Citation

The Prairie Naturalist (December 2006) 38(4): 239-250

Associate editor for mammalogy: Brock R. McMillan

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) was reintroduced into Wind Cave National Park (WCNP), South Dakota, in 1914, and thus, has inhabited the Park for nearly a century. During the 1990's, a decline in the population raised concern for the continued existence of pronghorn inside WCNP; an investigation into the observed decline was initiated. Primary objectives of our study were to evaluate diet composition and forage selection by pronghorn in WCNP. Microhistological analysis was conducted on 58 fecal samples collected opportunistically from pronghorn during 2002. Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), common juniper (Juniperus communis), and northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) were identified as major seasonal food items, representing 14.6, l 0.6, and 6.5 % of the annual diet, respectively. Annual diets of pronghorn in WCNP included 41.5% grasses, 31.1% shrubs, and 27.4% forbs. Total forage production in WCNP was 2% grass, 4% shrubs, and 23% forbs. Results indicated strong dietary selection by pronghorn for shrubs.