New Pronghorn Conservation License Plate Available to Wyoming Drivers
Wyoming motorists now have the opportunity to support local wildlife conservation efforts by purchasing a new pronghorn-themed license plate, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced, Oil City News reports.
The new plates feature the pronghorn, a unique species native to North America and commonly found in the Wyoming plains.
The conservation plates are priced at $180 upon purchase, with a $50 renewal fee. All funds raised through the sale of the plates are designated for efforts to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along migration corridors. Specifically, the funds will be used for the construction of wildlife overpasses and underpasses, as well as the installation of fencing and signage aimed at guiding animals safely across highways.
Each year, Wyoming sees more than 8,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions, which translates to an average of 21 incidents per day. State transportation officials estimate that the cost of each big game collision, including injuries and property damage, averages around $11,600.
According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the construction of highway overpasses, underpasses, and proper fencing has been shown to reduce collisions by up to 90%, allowing wildlife to safely traverse roads and reach seasonal ranges.
“People in Wyoming take an amazing amount of pride in the diverse and abundant wildlife in our state… This conservation plate supports a good cause and symbolizes being part of a movement geared toward making a difference for wildlife and humans,” said Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce.
The Wyoming Legislature authorized the wildlife conservation license plate with the passage of House Bill 39 in 2018, with the goal of raising funds to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife. Since its introduction in 2019, over 3,000 conservation plates have been issued, raising nearly $1 million for wildlife crossing projects across the state. Combined with other donations, the total funds raised for wildlife initiatives now exceed $1.8 million.
Motorists interested in purchasing a Wildlife Conservation License Plate can find more information on the Wyoming Department of Transportation website.
