Birth Control May Help Preserve Fish Springs Wild Horses

Federal officials are testing a new approach to manage the wild horse population in Fish Springs by using birth control instead of conducting roundups. This initiative aims to keep the horses in their natural habitat while controlling their numbers.

The Fish Springs wild horses have been a topic of public interest, with many residents expressing their desire to see these majestic animals remain in the area. The band of horses is located several miles south of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) designated herd management area for the Pine Nut Mountains.

Collaboration with American Wild Horse Conservation

BLM Field Manager Leon Thomas has announced a collaboration with members of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) to implement this birth control strategy. So far, 11 mares have been darted with the contraceptive, with plans to administer booster shots in six months.

“We hope to at least control their population,” Thomas said. “If we do, then we’ll try it at other herd management areas.”

The cost of the birth control drug is approximately $225 per horse, with the BLM and the horse organization sharing the $5,000 expense. Thomas noted that darting mares is more feasible than attempting to sterilize stallions.

Residents are also contributing by providing water to the horses. However, Thomas has requested that water troughs be moved northward, away from neighborhoods, to reduce the risk of horses posing a hazard to motorists.

In addition to the birth control efforts, the Bureau of Land Management is preparing to begin fuel treatment in the Pine Nut Mountains, a measure that could have mitigated the impact of the recent Bison fire.

For more information, visit the original article by The Record-Courier.