Wildlife Conservation Mexico Project #35827

Help Save 3 Endangered Grassland Species in Mexico

by Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza, A.C.

Summary

The American bison, the golden eagle, and the Mexican prairie dog call the Chihuahuan Desert their home. These three endangered species-whose roles in the ecosystem are as crucial as they are emblematic-inhabit the largest and most biodiverse desert in North America, 2/3 of which lies in Mexico. This fundraising campaign aims to continue habitat recovery and preservation efforts, veterinary care, education, and monitoring activities to protect these very special species in northern Mexico.

$10,000
total goal

$7,490
remaining

17
donors

2
monthly donors

2
years

Challenge

Once numbering in the millions, the populations of bison and prairie dogs have declined significantly. There is just one bison conservation herd left in Mexico consisting of 186 individuals, and prairie dogs have lost over 70% of their habitat. Golden eagles are also seriously threatened, with an estimated 156 reproductive pairs left in the Mexican wild. All three species are essential components to Mexico's native grassland ecosystems that have been significantly degraded due to human activity.

Solution

FMCN will provide veterinary care to prevent diseases in a bison herd located on our private conservation ranch. We will engage with students in a rural school that has an isolated prairie dog colony on its property to spread awareness to over 15 communities in which the children live. We will also cover the rehabilitation costs of injured golden eagles so they can be reintroduced into the wild. Though local in scope, these actions will have ecosystem-wide benefits in northern Mexico.

Long-Term Impact

Making sure that our bison herd is healthy will allow it to grow and repopulate other areas in the region. Additionally, by engaging local schoolchildren, we promote attitudes of environmental stewardship that students will spread throughout the region while protecting a colony of Mexican prairie dogs. Finally, rehabilitating injured golden eagles is an important part of the effort to conserve this species. Being an endangered apex predator with a low reproductive rate, every individual matters.