Advisory Board Recommends Actions to the BLM for Wild Horse Management
As the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meeting concluded in Elko, several recommendations were made to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to address the wild horse population crisis and restore rangelands. These recommendations align with public comments and aim to find humane solutions.
One controversial recommendation was to destroy horses deemed unadoptable or sell them without limitation. Dr. Robert Cope emphasized the necessity of considering all options, despite the social unpalatability of this approach.
During their visit to Nevada, the board experienced the rangeland conditions firsthand, highlighting the urgent need for action. Dr. Julie Weikel described the rangeland as essential for burros, wild horses, wildlife, and rural communities.
The board recommended that the BLM adhere to the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act by offering all suitable animals in holding for sale without limitation or humane euthanasia. Animals unsuitable for sale should be humanely destroyed. This recommendation was approved by all board members except Ginger Kathrens.
There was also a call to increase the removal of horses from the wild to alleviate land pressure. June Sewing suggested securing more funds for additional gathers.
Ben Masters, a board member, expressed frustration over inheriting unresolved issues and advocated for controlling the population through birth control rather than adoption. He aims to pass down a healthier rangeland to future generations.
The second recommendation, approved with Kathrens abstaining, prioritized sage grouse habitat when removing excess animals. Kathrens abstained due to insufficient information on the affected acres and herds.
Additional proposals included using rangeland degradation as a criterion for prioritizing animal removal and considering rangelands that can be restored and maintained in a healthy status.
Dr. Cope raised the issue of genetic variability, which Dr. Boyd Spratling addressed during public comments. Maintaining genetic diversity is crucial to avoid inbreeding problems, with a suggested population number closer to 5,000 horses.
The board also discussed economic viability and encouraged collaboration with other agencies to analyze the socioeconomic and environmental impacts on communities. State agencies and BLM advisory councils were urged to submit plans for range rehabilitation and herd management based on local expertise.
The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) representative criticized the BLM's use of porcine zona pellucida for population management, calling for the abandonment of sterilization in favor of acceptable contraception methods.
Overall, the board's recommendations aim to address the population issue and foster collaboration with Congress and the Secretary of the Interior to manage the wild horse population effectively.
Originally posted by Elko Daily