Impact of border wall on wildlife in southern Arizona

Conservation groups, including Sky Island Alliance, a Tucson-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting ecological diversity, have raised concerns about the 27 miles of new border wall being proposed through the San Rafael Valley in southeastern Arizona, a region considered one of the state’s last major unobstructed wildlife corridors.

The group’s border wildlife study estimates that replacing existing vehicle barriers with a wall would reduce wildlife crossings by 86%.

A reporter with News21, Lorenzo Gomez, joined “Horizonte” to discuss the ecological significance of the San Rafael Valley and what is at stake for wildlife in the area.

Gomez said the area under consideration for wall expansion by the Trump Administration is ecologically rich and crucial for species such as pronghorn, mountain lions, jaguars, coyotes and javelinas. These animals depend on cross-border movement for food, water and reproduction.

Conservationists warn a wall would disrupt natural migration patterns, posing a threat to their survival, particularly as Arizona faces severe drought conditions that further limit access to resources.

“They are not thinking about a giant wall between them and their mates, their food, their water,” Gomez said. “This pathway has been used for centuries for these animals to live, reproduce and access what they need to survive.”

Gomez also pointed to footage from wildlife cameras placed throughout the San Rafael Valley showing animals frequently encountering and struggling with existing barriers. In many cases, animals appear confused or distressed when they reach fencing they cannot cross, highlighting the limitations of the current infrastructure. While small openings have been added in some areas to allow passage, they are often too narrow for larger species to use effectively.