BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting: Key Insights from August 25, 2014

Eyewitness Report: BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting

Riverton, Wyoming - August 25, 2014

The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board convened on August 25, 2014, in Riverton, Wyoming, a location challenging for many attendees to access. All nine Advisory Board members were present, with a notable bias towards the livestock industry, as five members have connections to it. Dr. Spratling recently participated in a controversial pro-horse-slaughter video, revealing his stance on the issue.

The BLM presented updates and reports to the Board, with much of the information available here.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting

• The BLM has reduced the number of wild horses it plans to remove due to limited holding space. For FY 2014, ending September 30, the target is 3,000 horses, with a similar number proposed for FY 2015.
• Removals are restricted to litigation, private landowner requests, public safety issues, and emergencies.
• Applications for “Population Growth Suppression” research are under review by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which will recommend funding priorities.
• Studies with the U.S. Geological Survey include non-invasive DNA sampling, radio collar testing, and carrying capacity modeling.
• Field trials of surgical sterilization are being pursued despite NAS recommendations against these methods.
• The agency under-utilizes the NAS-recommended PZP fertility control, spending only $189,000 on it in FY 2014.
• A proposed $79 million budget for FY 2015 allocates 63% to rounding up and holding horses, with just 3% for population growth suppression.
• Deaths of at least 80 wild horses relocated to a Kansas feedlot were attributed to age, trauma, stress, and feed changes. The BLM promises more transparency in future relocations.
• A national Environmental Impact Statement is being developed to evaluate wild horse management alternatives, including economic costs.
• A “pilot” program to send 100 American burros to Guatemala is underway, raising concerns about animal welfare.
• Socioeconomic research is being conducted to assess public attitudes and adoption demand for wild horses.

The Forest Service is also developing standards and management plans for its wild horse territories.

The meeting was attended by wild horse advocates and ranchers, the latter voicing concerns about wild horses impacting sage grouse populations. However, livestock vastly outnumber wild horses in Wyoming, with ranchers grazing on over 18 million acres compared to the less than 4 million acres for wild horses.

Suzanne Roy of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) addressed the Advisory Board and delivered a petition signed by over 40,500 citizens opposing the BLM's proposed roundup of wild horses in Wyoming. A lawsuit has been filed to block this action.

Suzanne joined Simone Netherlands, Ginger Kathrens, Carol Walker, and others at a press conference during the meeting.

Tim Harvey, the humane advocate on the Advisory Board, highlighted the unfair allocation of resources within Herd Management Areas, noting that 80% of forage is allocated to livestock, not wild horses. His comments drew ire from the cattlemen on the board.

View our live tweets from the meeting as well as AWHC statements here.