BLM Proposes Plans to Reduce Wild Horse Population

The U.S. wild horse population is facing a significant reduction, with plans to decrease numbers by 69% over the next six to 12 years. This proposal, presented by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), outlines four options aimed at managing the wild horse and burro populations on public lands across 10 Western states.

The BLM's report to Congress highlights concerns that the current population exceeds the sustainable capacity of these lands. According to the report, "If wild horse and burro populations continue to expand, the impacts to animal and plant species will grow more severe across even larger swaths of the Western public rangelands."

Ranchers often blame wild horses for environmental degradation, citing issues like trampling streams and consuming grasses, which have led to restrictions on livestock grazing. Tom Sharp, a rancher and president-elect of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, stated, "When you have degraded lands like that, everyone is affected." He emphasized that the current growth rate of the horse population is unsustainable.

The BLM's proposal aims to reduce the population from approximately 86,000 to an "appropriate management level" of 26,715 by 2030. This would involve methods such as birth control, sterilization, euthanasia, and sale. However, wild horse advocates argue that the BLM is overstating the issues to prioritize livestock grazing.

Organizations like the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) hope Congress will maintain restrictions against killing or selling wild horses for slaughter. Suzanne Roy, the nonprofit's executive director, expressed confidence that "Congress realizes the American people are strongly opposed to killing our iconic wild horses and burros."

The BLM claims that wild horses and burros have displaced native species and increased vulnerability to invasive species. The cost of caring for about 46,000 horses removed from rangelands is projected to reach $1 billion over their lifetimes in holding facilities.

The BLM's report outlines four options:

• Option 1: Achieve the AML in eight years using all legal authorities, including sale without restriction and euthanasia, alongside contraceptives and sterilization.
• Option 2: Achieve the AML in 10 years using birth control and minimal sterilization, with increased costs for care in holding facilities.
• Option 3: Achieve the AML in six years with aggressive removal and sterilization, offering adoption incentives to reduce long-term holding costs.
• Option 4: Achieve the AML in 12 years focusing on sterilization and adoption incentives, emphasizing fertility control.

While the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association favors the first option, its political feasibility is questioned due to the controversial nature of euthanasia and unrestricted sales. Sharp noted, "This has become a very political issue."

The American Wild Horse Conservation supports humane birth control methods like PZP but opposes invasive sterilization procedures. Roy criticized permanent sterilization for altering horses' natural behaviors, effectively turning them into pasture animals.

Roy also highlighted concerns about the Trump administration's continuation of problematic management practices, warning that the proposed population level is near extinction and lacks scientific basis.

For more details, visit the original article by Capital Press.