Deep, crusty snow piled up on fields in eastern Colorado after last week’s snowstorm is driving herds of pronghorn onto roads, and dozens of them are dying, state wildlife officials said. Pronghorn are being hit by drivers in droves as they seek refuge from snow-covered fields,

While the reason for the creatures’ deaths may seem obvious, the reasons behind it are less apparent than you might think.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for pronghorns sheltering on the roads until the snow melts.

The pronghorns were killed by vehicles, likely large trucks, as they sought shelter from snow in fields on rural roads and highways in Colorado.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the herd likely congregated on the highway because of drifting snow on the ground and in the fields.

CPW said more than 100 pronghorn – including 52 on US 36 near Byers – have been killed on Eastern Plains roadways since a snowy stretch dumped as much as 40 inches in some spots.