Our ride out toward the KOFA mine took us past the area in the refuge that is closed to any kind of activity. It is where they reintroduced desert pronghorn back to the area. There were over 200 animals before mining took off and small towns of people lived out here. They were pretty much all gone and then the state decided to try reintroducing a small herd to the area. When we volunteered at the refuge they brought in twelve pronghorn and put them out here inside a mile wide fenced area. Once they were adjusted to their new surroundings the pronghorn did pretty well. Now you might see some crossing the highway or even still close to their original starting point. That is where we saw this small group. They were just outside of the area that had been closed off for them.
We stopped and watched them for awhile and they seemed more curious of us than anything. It is amazing to see animals this size surviving out in this desert. Horses and wild burros are also out here but the refuge tries to limit the number of horses and burros since they are not native. The people we were riding with were really excited to see wildlife. Their big complaint when they go in the wildlife refuge is they never see any wildlife.
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