BLM Gathers 103 Wild Horses in Utah; Two Fatalities Reported

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has successfully completed a wild horse gather along State Road 21 in western Millard and Beaver counties, Utah. This operation, aimed at managing the horse population and ensuring safety, resulted in the capture of 103 horses. Unfortunately, two horses died during the process, highlighting the challenges of such operations.

Wranglers utilized a helicopter to herd the animals into holding corrals. The captured horses were then transported to the Delta Wild Horse Facility, where they will be available for adoption through the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.

Tragically, two wild horses died during the roundup: a 10-year-old stud succumbed to chronic heart failure, and an 11-year-old mare was fatally injured by impact with corral panels. Additionally, BLM officials handed over two domestic horses, inadvertently captured during the three-day roundup, to the Utah brand inspector.

Last August, 30 horses were captured in the same area, with all but six successfully adopted, according to the BLM.

Three horses found dead along SR 21 last winter are suspected to have died from vehicle collisions. BLM officials have expressed concerns about the "excess numbers" of horses in the area, which tend to gather along the highway, posing significant safety risks.

Before the recent roundup, the Sulphur Herd Management Area was home to an estimated 830 horses. The federal agency is currently conducting an environmental analysis to propose reducing the herd size to between 165 and 250 horses.

A request for an injunction to halt the roundup, filed by Friends of Animals and Protect Mustangs, was denied by U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups on January 24, the day it was filed and just before the roundup commenced.

Originally posted by Salt Lake Tribune.