"A global study of 57 species of mammals, published in the journal Science, has found that wildlife move far less in landscapes that have been altered by humans, a finding that could have implications for a range of issues, from how well natural systems function to finding ways to protect migratory species"............"The challenge is understanding how many holes you can punch in the landscape,” said Matthew Kauffman, a professor of wildlife biology at the University of Wyoming, “before a migration is lost"..............."This Study of animal migration is known as “movement ecology” a scientific discipline that is casting light on the secretive movements of wildlife and how those habits are changing".............“It is important that animals move, because in moving they carry out important ecological functions like transporting nutrients and seeds between different areas,” said Marlee Tucker, a biologist at Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center and Goethe University, Frankfurt and the study’s lead author"........... "The ability to move and find food helps keep some imperiled species viable"............"Predators may suffer more than other animals from restricted movement because they range over wider areas and encounter more development as they roam"........... “Wolves are caught in a pinball game, stuck between fences and highways and they can’t get around as much as wolves in wilder situations,” said Mark Hebblewhite, a wildlife biologist at the University of Montana who has a long running study on wolves and elk in British Columbia and contributed data to the new paper"..........“We all know that animals go where animals want to go".............. "U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke added that more often than not, animal migration is dependent upon natural features like watersheds rather than whether the land is publicly or privately owned".............."Zinke has signed an order to foster cooperation on migrations, working with ranchers to modify their fences, working with states to collaborate on sage brush restoration, or working with scientists to better understand migration routes"................."“Wild animals on an intact landscape move in sync with their needs, Dr. Kauffman said"..............“When you develop the landscape, this leads to less movement because they are less in tune with the naturally occurring pulse of the landscape"

Movement ecology

Animals Are Losing Their Vagility, or Ability to Roam Freely

Jim Robbins, Feb 19, 2018

A herd of mule deer near Gunnison, Colo. In the west, 

the acceleration of oil, gas and other development on 

public lands could increase the loss of migration. CreditHelen H. Richardson/The Denver Post, via Getty Images

Pronghorn antelope along a fence northwest of Casper, 

Wyo. A study has found that wildlife move far less in 

regions where humans are present, ultimately 

threatening the viability of a species.CreditAlan Rogers/
Casper Star-Tribune, via Associated Press

Pronghorn antelope wandering through the Jonah

 natural gas field near Pinedale, Wyo.CreditAnacleto
 Rapping/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images

Two Wolf Packs on the move looking for prey(below pictures)