BLM's Plan to Round Up Wild Horses in Sweetwater County
October 21, 2021 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is undertaking a significant operation to capture approximately 4,300 wild horses in southwestern Wyoming, reducing the state's wild horse population by about 45%. This initiative follows a plan announced by former President Donald Trump to decrease the number of western wild horses by the end of fiscal year 2022. The BLM argues that these management efforts are necessary due to the landscape's inability to sustain the current number of horses. However, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) disagrees, citing the disproportionate number of cattle and sheep compared to wild horses in federally designated habitats.
Controversy Over Land Use
The area targeted for the roundup is known as a checkerboard, consisting of interspersed private and public lands. Grace Kuhn from the American Wild Horse Conservation highlights that most private land is owned by the Rock Springs Grazing Association, which competes with wild horses for resources. The association denies these claims, supporting BLM's population reduction plans.
Fertility Control and Release
Approximately 800 of the captured horses will be released back into the wild after mares receive temporary fertility control treatments. The American Wild Horse Conservation advocates for increasing the population limit in the area and reducing livestock grazing on public lands to support the wild horse population sustainably.
"If the helicopters must fly, then the action should be focused on fertility control with horses being treated and released back to the range. And if removals do occur, they should be dramatically reduced," Kuhn stated.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The wild horse association warns that the roundup could cost taxpayers over $175 million and potentially harm Rock Springs' ecotourism, which has recently introduced wild horse tours.
For more details, visit the original article by Wyoming Public Radio.