California's Wild Horses: Federal Budget Decisions Could Determine Their Fate
The fate of thousands of wild horses and burros in California hangs in the balance as federal budget decisions loom. Advocates are urging action to prevent potential mass killings, highlighting the importance of these animals as symbols of the American West.
Federal Budget Concerns
Wild horse advocates warn that proposed language in the fiscal 2018 budget could lead to the mass killing of horses on federal land. They are appealing to Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, to remove this language from the spending bill.
Calvert, known for his animal advocacy, leads the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing Department of the Interior spending. His role could be crucial in deciding whether the department can euthanize horses and sell them to slaughterhouses.
“Riverside is the center of the political universe when it comes to deciding the future of an American icon,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign).
The Importance of Wild Horses
Horses and burros are seen as living symbols of the historic spirit of the West. Katia Louise, president of the Wild For Life Foundation, emphasizes their contribution to biodiversity and the enrichment of American lives.
Calvert has not indicated his stance on the issue, stating the challenge posed by the growing number of wild horses and burros on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Congress need to find long-term strategies to address this imbalance.
Overpopulation and Environmental Impact
Without changes, overpopulation could lead to starvation, thirst, and environmental damage, according to a group representing ranchers with grazing permits on public lands. Ethan Lane of the Public Lands Council expressed concern over the unfolding animal welfare and environmental disasters.
Currently, around 73,000 wild horses and burros roam public lands, with nearly 9,000 in California. The BLM reports that the sustainable population is just 27,000, and only about 2,000 horses and burros are adopted each year.
Legislative and Management Challenges
The 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act governs the treatment of these animals on federal property. Historically, appropriations bills have prevented the BLM from killing healthy wild horses or selling them for slaughter. However, the current program is deemed unsustainable, with a significant portion of the budget spent on caring for horses in off-range facilities.
The BLM's budget proposal includes a $10 million cut, advocating for the use of all management tools, including euthanasia and unrestricted sales. The bureau's advisory board has recommended these measures for unadoptable horses, though the BLM initially rejected the recommendation.
Advocacy and Alternatives
Reports of starving horses are dismissed as "fake news" by advocates like Roy, who argue for birth control as a better management option. The BLM is committed to developing longer-lasting birth control vaccines to manage population growth.
Calvert's Animal Advocacy
Calvert, an animal lover, has sponsored legislation to curb animal use in testing and prevent horse slaughter operations. His record has earned him recognition from The Humane Society and PETA. However, advocates worry about pressure from special interests influencing his decisions.
By the Numbers
Some figures about the wild horse and burro population on acreage overseen by the federal Bureau of Land Management:
- 73,000 – The number of wild horses and burros roaming free on public lands.
- 27,000 – The number of wild horses and burros that can sustainably roam those lands, according to BLM.
- 5,088 – The number of wild horses on BLM land in California.
- 3,657 – The number of burros on BLM land in California.
- 876 – The number of wild horses and burros at BLM holding facilities in California.
Originally posted by The Press-Enterprise.