A river runs through it

Pronghorn antelope, mule deer and grey fox roam the vast grasslands of the northern desert, while roadrunners, reptiles, jackrabbits and eagles live in the desert scrub.Other desert wildlife includes the jaguar (Felis onca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), Mexican blackheaded snake (Tantilla atriceps) and greater earless lizard (Cophosaurus texanus).Little rain falls in the Chihuahuan, but the Rio Grande River - known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico - flows through the desert, providing a lifeline for all these animal and plants species, and the millions of people who live here.While the river supports an exceptional array of wildlife, water withdrawals as a result of population growth and intensive agricultural activities are threatening the health of this all important cross-border ecosystem. Overgrazing, invasive species and mining are also taking their toll on the environment.WWF is working on a number of projects to protect the Chihuahuan , which focus on restoring river habitats, and conserving grasslands and wetlands. Fostering collaboration on both sides of the US-Mexico border is key to successful conservation.