Bureau of Land Management to Gather Wild Horses in Eastern Nevada

BLM's Wild Horse Gathering in Eastern NevadaBLM's Wild Horse Gathering in Eastern Nevada

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District is set to commence the gathering and removal of approximately 120 excess wild horses from the Silver King and Triple B Herd Management Areas (HMAs) in eastern Nevada. This operation, starting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, aims to prevent further damage to private property and ensure public and animal safety. Details will be updated on the district website as they become available.

Silver King HMA

The District plans to remove up to 50 excess wild horses from the Silver King HMA, located about 120 miles south of Ely. These horses pose a safety risk on U.S. Highway 93 and have been damaging private property, leading to complaints from property owners. The Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the Silver King HMA is 60-128 wild horses, while the current population stands at 452.

Triple B HMA

Approximately 70 excess wild horses will be removed from the Triple B HMA, situated about 30 miles northwest of Ely. These horses have been damaging private property and interacting with domestic stock, resulting in landowner complaints. The AML for the Triple B HMA is 215-250 wild horses, with the current population at 1,311.

Efforts by the BLM to keep wild horses away from private property and highways, including trapping and relocating them to other parts of the HMAs, have not been successful.

Gathering Process

The BLM will employ the services of gather contractor Cattoor Livestock Roundup, Inc., from Nephi, Utah. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd wild horses toward corrals. The pilot is supported by a ground crew and a domesticated horse trained to guide the wild horses into the corral. The use of helicopters, authorized by the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, has proven to be a safe and effective method for gathering excess wild horses with minimal stress on the animals.

Post-Gathering Plans

Wild horses removed from the range will be transported to the National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley (PVC) in Reno, Nevada, where they will be offered for adoption to qualified individuals. Horses not adopted will be placed in long-term pastures, where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

A Wild Horse Gather Information Line is available at (775) 861-6700, providing recorded messages on daily gather activities and schedules. Daily gather information will also be posted on the BLM website.

Public Access and Safety

Public lands within the HMAs will remain open during gather operations, subject to necessary safety restrictions. The BLM will strive to offer public viewing opportunities and has established protocols to ensure the safety of the horses, the public, and BLM and contract staff. These protocols are available on the BLM website under Observation Opportunities.

Environmental Assessments

Gather activities in and outside the Triple B HMA were analyzed in the Triple B, Maverick-Medicine, and Antelope Valley HMA Gather Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA), signed in May 2011. Gather activities in and around the Silver King HMA were analyzed in the Ely District Public Safety and Nuisance Gather EA, signed in August 2014.

Originally posted by BLM.

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