BLM Plans Emergency Wild Horse Gathers Amid Extreme Drought

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is taking urgent action to protect wild horses and burros from the severe drought and heat affecting much of the Western United States. With conditions threatening the safety of these federally protected animals, the BLM plans to increase gathers over the coming months.

The BLM estimates that up to 6,000 additional wild horses and burros need to be rounded up by the end of September to prevent widespread thirst and mortality. This action is necessary as drought conditions intensify across the West.

The drought has already led to multiple emergency gathers, removing nearly 1,200 animals. While specific locations for future gathers have not been disclosed, Nevada, Utah, and California are likely targets due to the number of wild horses and the condition of the rangelands.

"As one of the agencies charged with the responsibility to protect and manage America’s wild horses and burros, the BLM is prepared to take emergency action where we can in order to save the lives of these cherished animals," said Nada Culver, BLM’s deputy director of policy and programs.

Under the Biden administration, the BLM has committed to an aggressive plan to round up roughly 11,000 animals this fiscal year, ending September 30, and as many as 20,000 in fiscal 2022. This plan continues efforts from the previous administration.

The increased roundups have resulted in a decrease in total wild horse and burro populations, dropping to 86,189 as of March 1, from a record 95,114 last year. However, this number still exceeds the sustainable capacity of federal rangelands.

BLM encourages those who can adopt one of the rounded-up animals to provide them with a loving home. However, the adoption program is under scrutiny due to allegations that some adopted horses were later sold at auctions and potentially sent to slaughterhouses.

In response, BLM has announced administrative changes to the adoption incentive program to improve oversight while an internal investigation is ongoing. The program is also facing federal lawsuits, including one from the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), which has uncovered additional cases of horses sold at auctions.

More roundups mean more animals in off-range holding facilities, but BLM assures it can manage the increased numbers. "These are incredible animals that deserve a chance to thrive with a caring adopter," Culver emphasized.

For more details, visit the original article by E&E News.