Bible Springs Roundup: July 28, 2014 - A Detailed Account
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundup in Utah's Bible Springs Complex began on July 28, 2014. This action was initiated to appease ranchers who threatened to illegally round up wild horses if the BLM did not. The operation targeted 140 wild horses for removal from the Blawn Wash Herd Management Area (HMA). In 2002, the BLM traded away the most productive part of the HMA to the state of Utah, which leased the land to ranchers. Consequently, the BLM zeroed out the HMA, setting the Allowable Management Level (AML) to zero and planning to eliminate wild horses from this public lands area designated by Congress as wild horse habitat.
Update August 5, 2014: BLM Utah Roundup is officially over. 143 wild horses were captured and removed from the Blawn Wash HMA. Two horses died in the helicopter roundup. (See Day 3)
An additional 36 horses (17 stallions, 12 mares, and 7 foals) were captured outside the Sulphur HMA along Highway 21. 30 horses were permanently removed while 6 (1 stallion, 3 mares, and 2 foals) were released back into the Sulphur HMA. All horses have been taken from their homes on the range, separated from their families, and transported to holding pens, including the ones seen in this updated video on the Utah roundup by Caroline Kraus.
Following are reports from AWHC observers present at the roundup. Special thanks to AWHC supporter and advisor and AMERICAN MUSTANG The Movie producer Ellie Phipps Price, Utah photographer Kelly Jay, and videographer Caroline Kraus for attending the roundup and witnessing the helicopter stampede and capture of the Bible Springs Complex wild horses.
July 28, 2014: DAY 1
Approximately 35-40 horses were captured today during the Utah Bible Springs Complex roundup. The captured horses, including a handful of foals and yearlings, were all in good condition despite rancher claims that horses were starving on the range.
Photos courtesy of Kelly Jay.
Day 2:
25 horses were rounded up and removed from the range, which included 11 studs, 10 mares, and 4 foals. The captured horses were in good body condition.
The following photos were taken today of formerly wild horses in the BLM's Delta holding facility, showing the conditions that await the horses captured this week in Utah. Some of the horses at the Delta facility have been in these pens for three years or longer.
Day 3:
31 horses were rounded up and removed from the range, which included 10 studs, 15 mares, and 6 foals. These horses were also in good body condition.
There were 2 reported deaths:
- One sorrel mare age 7, body condition 3 was euthanized due to a pre-existing fracture of the right rear hock.
- One gray filly age 1, body condition 4 died due to impact with a corral panel at temporary holding.
Click here to see BLM daily updates on roundup.
Press Releases:
Welfare Ranching Trumps Public Opinion: BLM Begins Utah Roundup to Appease Ranchers
Record Number of Americans Protest Wild Horse Roundup Scheduled to Appease Handful of Utah Ranchers
Statement in Response to BLM’s Capture of Wild Horses in Southern Utah
News:
Utah Horse Roundup Stirs Controversy And Debate
Horse Deaths, Controversy Plague Utah Wild Horse Gather
Utah wild horse roundup removes 143 from range
Round-up of wild horses gets under way in Utah
BLM to round up wild horses Monday
Deadline on wild horses comes and goes
Utah weighs in on BLM plan for southern Utah's wild horses
Under pressure, BLM OK’s roundup of 140 wild horses
Whether Utah horses are native species is at heart of debate
Wild Horse Advocates Fight Against Horse Roundup
Record Number of Americans Protest Wild Horse Roundup Scheduled to Appease Handful of Utah Ranchers
Wild horse advocates flood BLM with roundup opposition
Iron County calls BLM horse roundup a 'joke'
BLM Pressured to Bring Wild Horse Population Under Control
Ranchers' next target: wildlife
BLM to pull 200 horses from Utah's West Desert
200 wild horses slated for roundup, BLM says
Iron County, BLM bring in first herd of wild horses
Utah officials: Feds should round up wild horses
Counties deploy new Utah law in fight over wild horses
Faxes pour into Utah Governor's Office Protesting Anti-Mustang Stand
Wild Horse Numbers In Utah Encourage Land Management Discussion
Utah ranchers sue to force reduction in wild horse population
Utah ranchers sue BLM, demand removal of wild horses
State Wildlife Board sounds off to BLM over wild horse management
Under pressure, Utah BLM fast-tracks plea to round up wild horses
Gov. Gary Herbert slammed for wild horse comments
Herbert Says Utah Should Take Control of Wild Horse Herds
Wild horses targeted for roundup in Utah rangeland clash
Iron County, feds work together to corral horses
‘Feral’ horse roundup is on in Iron County
Trib Talk: Wild horse roundup – Iron County vs. federal law?
Bureau of Land Management held hostage by Iron County Commissioners
Amid criticism, Iron County, BLM plan wild horse roundup
Utah county cites ‘hypocrisy’ in Clark County roundup
Iron County to feds: Remove wild horses or we will