BLM to Bait Trap Wild Horses from Silver King and Triple B HMAs

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada’s Ely District is set to begin gathering and removing excess wild horses from the Silver King and Triple B herd management areas (HMAs). This initiative aims to manage overpopulation and mitigate resource damage caused by the horses moving outside designated areas.

Starting on or about July 27, the BLM will gather up to 100 excess wild horses from outside the Silver King HMA, located approximately 90 miles south of Ely. Additionally, up to 130 wild horses will be removed from in and around the Triple B HMA, about 30 miles northwest of Ely. The gathering process will utilize hay and water to attract the horses.

The Silver King HMA has an appropriate management level (AML) of 60 to 128 wild horses, but the current population stands at 912. The Triple B HMA has an AML of 250 to 518, with a current population of 1,600. Due to limited water resources, the BLM has been hauling water to Pot Spring and other sources since late June.

A veterinarian will be on call during the operations, which will be conducted by a contractor. Horses removed will be transported to the National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley, where they will be prepared for adoption.

Only essential personnel will be allowed at the gather sites initially. Depending on the horses' adjustment, public viewing might be arranged through escorted tours of the temporary holding facilities.

The gathers are expected to take up to two months. For updates, a hotline is available at 775/861-6700, and reports will be posted on the BLM Ely District website at on.doi.gov/1lGnDYC.

For more information, contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist, at 775/289-1842 or [email protected].

Originally posted on The Horse.