Gazette Opinion: Best Prescription for Wild Horses Made in Billings

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has shifted its approach to managing wild horses, moving from frequent roundups to more humane methods. This change is part of a broader strategy to maintain healthy populations without the need for removals.

The BLM has been seeking public input on a plan for the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. This plan involves setting up portable pens at water sources, gradually acclimating horses to them, and selectively corralling certain horses for adoption while maintaining others on the range. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, located on the Montana-Wyoming border, aims to:

• Maintain a balanced ratio between male and female horses.
• Preserve a core breeding population aged 5 to 10 years.
• Protect the characteristics of Colonial Spanish Type horses.
• Preserve rare coloration and prevent the elimination of bloodlines.

The BLM plans to remove 25 horses aged 1-3 years this fall, as the current population of 167 exceeds the range's carrying capacity of 90-120. Overgrazing has become a concern, prompting these measures.

However, such removals are becoming less frequent due to a groundbreaking contraceptive vaccine developed in Billings. Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, leading the Science & Conservation Center, has pioneered the PZP (porcine zona pellucida) vaccine, which is used globally by zoos and wildlife agencies.

Dr. Kirkpatrick's journey into wildlife contraception began in 1971, following a request from BLM specialists to find a way to control wild horse reproduction. His research led to the development of a vaccine that prevents pregnancy in mares, significantly reducing the growth of wild horse populations.

The PZP vaccine is now used in 20 game reserves in South Africa and at 35 sites in the United States, as well as in 200 zoos worldwide for 85 species. In the Pryor Mountain herd, the vaccine has cut population growth by more than half, with only 15 to 18 foals expected this year.

Jim Sparks, BLM field manager, expressed excitement about the potential to nearly eliminate the need for horse removals due to the vaccine's success. Most humane organizations and wild horse advocates support this approach, which has led to healthier populations and ecosystems.

This success story, originating in Billings, continues to thrive with the efforts of the nonprofit Science & Conservation Center, located near ZooMontana.

Originally Posted By Billings Gazette