How many enthusiasts based in SW USA realise how special these animals are? It frustrates me to think that they were at Whipsnade when I first visited as a child of 4, and that I've got no memories of them.
Don't feel too bad. I live in the SW US and there are none in zoos in Texas. Nearest to me is in Kansas. Needless to say I am not sure if I've ever seen this species.
Wonderful animals - I was in the US for 3 weeks in 1998 on a family holiday and we saw them three times - once wild but distantly, once wild and very close around the car (both times with my camera out of action!) and once captive (http://www.zoochat.com/1543/pronghorn-grand-canyon-deer-farm-1998-a-147800/ - my only photo of a Pronghorn, though I think my dad has a few of the wild animals that I keep meaning to get hold of and scan). They were one of the most particular highlights of what was a pretty spectacular trip all round.
San Diego didn't have them at the time (not on show, at least).
Back in the 1970s, I remember reading that Pronghorn husbandry was rather difficult for most zoos. Los Angeles, on the other hand, was always extremely successful with keeping and breeding them.
How many enthusiasts based in SW USA realise how special these animals are? It frustrates me to think that they were at Whipsnade when I first visited as a child of 4, and that I've got no memories of them.
@Ian: If you ever visit the LA area then hopefully we can find you some wild pronghorns. We still have some wild herds in LA County, and they are being reintroduced in other parts of the state.
Perhaps the best place to see them is Yellowstone where the buffalo (bison) really do roam and the deer and the (pronghorn) antelope really do play.
I believe I still have one from the 1960s, inside one of the really old back issues of ZooView. If I can locate it, I'll try to scan it. I don't remember if it was very detailed though.
