Activists Fear Mass Roundup of Wild Horses Due to Government Rule Change

Wild horses, often seen as majestic symbols of the American West, are now at risk due to a recent rule change by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management. This change has sparked fears among activists about the future of these iconic animals.

The new rule, which modifies an Obama-era regulation, removes previous restrictions on the sale of wild horses. Activists worry this will lead to increased "mass round-ups," potentially paving the way for their euthanasia and eventual extinction.

Under the new rule, up to 25 wild horses can be sold to a single buyer within a six-month period without needing approval from the agency’s assistant director. This is a significant increase from the 2013 rule, which capped sales at four horses per buyer.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has voiced concerns, stating that the agency "no longer has a requirement to describe the conditions in which the horses will be held."

Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation, criticized the changes, saying, "Since riding a horse to his first day of work, Interior Secretary [Ryan] Zinke has galloped down a deadly path for America’s wild horse and burro herds – from asking Congress for permission to slaughter tens of thousands of these cherished animals to promoting the mass surgical sterilization of mustangs and burros on the range. Zinke is pushing the livestock industry agenda to rid our public lands of wild horses and trampling on the wishes of American citizens in the process."

In response, the Bureau of Land Management stated, "The May 24, 2018 Instruction Memorandum that was released provides internal guidance for what is considered a sale eligible animal. It in no way changes the obligations and authorities given by Congress prohibiting the sale for slaughter or euthanasia of healthy animals. Secretary Zinke has made abundantly clear that he does not support slaughter or euthanasia of healthy horses and burros."

Despite these assurances, the Bureau of Land Management remains concerned about overpopulation and disease among wild horses on public lands. Ranchers, who lease a significant portion of these lands, argue that wild horses compete with livestock for grazing resources.

The agency’s Wild Horse and Burro Program webpage states, "Population control must be implemented to protect scarce and fragile resources in the arid West and ensure healthy animals. To carry out this mission, the BLM controls herd growth…through the periodic removals of excess animals and the placement of those animals into private care."

In January, the Bureau of Land Management considered allowing the euthanasia of wild horses for the first time in nearly 50 years. In late April, the agency submitted a report to Congress recommending euthanasia as an option for population control. However, the ban on selling wild horses for the purpose of euthanasia remains in place.

Originally posted by KVNU