WILDLIFE -- Pronghorns are back in Washington.

After years of negotiations and miles of red tape, a herd of about 100 pronghorns (also known as antelope) from Nevada were released into Central Washington over the weekend,  according to a just-filed Northwest Sportsman online report.

 The sage-country speedsters were released Jan. 15 and 16 on the Yakama Indian Reservation by members of Safari Club International's Central Washington Chapter.

The project was sponsored by SCI with the cooperation of wildlife agencies from both states and the Yakamas.  Failing to get authority from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife over years of trying, SCK members said the tribe was receptive to bringing in pronghorns, which were extirpated from Washington in the 1800s.

The WDFW completed an Assessment of Pronghorn Habitat Potential In Eastern Washington in 2006, but it apparently has been removed from the agency's website.

  Fast Facts

From Naional Geographic and Rich Landers

 

NAME:  Pronghorn, a uniquely North American mammal. (Although often called "antelope," pronghorns are closely related to goats)

SIZE: Head and body, 3.25 to 5 feet; Tail, 3 to 4 inches

WEIGHT: 90 to 150 pounds

GROUP NAME: Band or herd

DID YOU KNOW?

The pronghorn is the second fastest land mammal in the world, after the cheetah. It can attain speeds of 50-60 mph. However, unlike the cheetah, the pronghorn also has the marathoner's ability to throttle back to half speed and continue for many miles.

 

Pronghorn size relative to a 6-foot tall man:

 

  

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