BLM’s 2017 Budget Threatens Wild Horse Protection with Slaughter and Sterilization Proposals

Washington, DC (February 11, 2016)– The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is raising concerns over the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2017 budget proposal. This proposal includes a provision that could strip wild horses of their legal protection against slaughter, marking a significant shift from President Obama’s previous stance on safeguarding these animals.

Potential Loss of Protection

The budget provision would allow wild horses to be transferred to state and local authorities, many of whom have advocated for their slaughter. Once transferred, these horses would lose their protected status, enabling their sale for slaughter.

Controversial Sterilization Plans

TheBLM’s “2017 Budget in Brief” also suggests pursuing controversial spaying and gelding of wild horses, contradicting recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences. Experts warn that such procedures could strip wild horses of their natural behaviors, essential to their identity as wild animals.

Recently, 21,000 citizens submitted public comments opposing theBLM’s plan to conduct invasive sterilization experiments on wild mares in Oregon. They urged the use of a humane, scientifically proven wildlife contraception vaccine instead.

Challenging Misconceptions

AWHC also challenged the Administration’s claims of “unsustainable proliferation” of wild horses and burros, noting they occupy just 12% of federal rangelands and are vastly outnumbered by livestock.

National opinion polls show the majority of Americansoppose horse slaughterandsupport protectingwild horses onpublic lands.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is dedicated to preserving America’s iconic wild horses and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come. AWHC’s mission and grassroots advocacy efforts are endorsed by a coalition of over 60 organizations.

More Information

President's Interior budget requestSection 110 states, “...the Secretary of the Interior may transfer excess wild horses or burros that have been removed from thepublic landsto other Federal, State, and local government agencies for use as work animals…[and] …That any excess animal transferred under this provision shall lose its status as a wild free-roaming horse or burro as defined in the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act…”

BLM Budget in Brief: “TheBLMwill also continue expanding the use of contraceptives and the application of spay and neuter to begin to reduce program costs and help the unsustainable proliferation of wild horses and burros onpublic lands.”

The National Academy of Sciences, 2013 report “Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burros Program: A Way Forward” stated: