AWHC Challenges BLM's Controversial Sterilization Experiments on Wild Mares

In January 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its controversial plan to conduct sterilization experiments on wild mares at the Burns Corrals in Oregon. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has been at the forefront of opposing these inhumane procedures, advocating for the humane treatment of federally-protected wild horses.

Since the announcement, AWHC has mobilized significant opposition to these experiments. The organization has secured veterinary opposition, submitted detailed comments to the BLM, lodged complaints with the Oregon State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Office of Research Integrity, and produced a video exposing the nature of the proposed procedures.

Chronology of Events

• January 2016: AWHC secures the release of the BLM Expert Veterinary Panel Report, previously withheld from the Environmental Assessment (EA).
• February 2016: AWHC obtains expert veterinary statements from Dr. Robin Kelly and Dr. Pamela Corey regarding the proposed sterilization experiments.
• February 2016: AWHC submits detailed public comments on the sterilization research EA.
• February 2016: Nearly 21,000 citizens submit comments opposing the sterilization experiments in response to AWHC's alert.
• March 2015: AWHC releases a video of the proposed sterilization procedure being performed by the veterinarian who will conduct the BLM experiments. (Uncut video available here.)
• April 1, 2016: AWHC submits the first in a series of animal welfare complaints to the Oregon State University (OSU) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
• April 6, 2016: AWHC submits a second complaint to OSU IACUC.
• April 8, 2016: AWHC submits a third complaint to OSU IACUC, including an eyewitness declaration from Simone Netherlands.
• April 13, 2016: AWHC delivers petition signatures and a complaint to the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board.
• April 18, 2016: AWHC submits a summary complaint to BLM and OSU IACUC, including public comments from the National Cattleman's Association opposing the spay research.
• May 9, 2016: AWHC submits another complaint to the BLM and OSU IACUC regarding the death of a horse previously withheld from BLM.
• July 20, 2016: AWHC demands public observation of BLM wild horse sterilization experiments.
• August 15, 2016: AWHC and The Cloud Foundation file a First Amendment Lawsuit to secure the right to public observation of the experiments.
• September 9, 2016: The BLM drops its plan to surgically sterilize wild horses.