BLM Wild Horse Roundup Exceeds Expectations in Wyoming

In a recent roundup, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) captured significantly more wild horses in southern Wyoming than initially estimated, leading to widespread concern among animal advocacy groups. The roundup took place in the Great Divide Basin, Adobe Town, and Salt Wells Creek herd management areas, concluding with a total of 1,263 horses captured.

The unexpected number of horses captured has sparked outrage among groups such as Friends of Animals, who had previously protested the roundup in Rock Springs. Edita Birnkrant, the group's campaigns director, expressed the public's anger, stating, "We've gotten tremendous feedback of outrage from people in Wyoming and all over the country that the BLM is completely out of control."

According to Kristen Lenhardt, chief of communications for the BLM in Wyoming, the agency is required to remove all horses from checkerboard lands due to a legal settlement with local ranchers. The BLM's initial survey in April indicated 806 horses in the roundup zones, with an estimated capture figure of 950.

Despite legal challenges from horse advocate groups, the roundup proceeded, with the BLM attributing the higher capture numbers to court-ordered delays that allowed more horses to enter the zones. Friends of Animals has petitioned the U.S. Department of Interior for Endangered Species Act protections for wild horses, but has yet to receive a substantive response.

Jennifer Barnes, a Denver lawyer representing Friends of Animals, highlighted the potential threat to wild horses, stating, "It really shows that these animals are threatened with possible extinction in the future especially if they continue managing them like this where they just take as many as they possibly can."

The BLM estimates that approximately 649 horses remain in the three herd management areas. Lenhardt assured that there is still a thriving population and emphasized the agency's commitment to managing the horses according to the act and best management practices.

While the horses will be available for adoption, many are expected to be placed in federal long-term holding facilities.

Originally Posted By Associated Press