Idaho’s Wild Horses Spared from Helicopter Gather Trauma

Idaho's Wild Love Preserve is working with the Challis Herd of wild horses in the U.S. to implement a humane hay bait gather trap instead of a helicopter roundup. This collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) aims to protect the well-being of these wild horses.

Since 2010, Wild Love Preserve has been involved with the Challis Herd Management Area, engaging in discussions with the Idaho BLM about humane gathering methods. This bait trap gather aligns with the fourth year of Wild Love Preserve's annual Native PZP-1YR collaborative management program with the Challis BLM.

Environmental Concerns

“To note, environmental groups focused on sage grouse habitat protections are driving 2017 wild horse removals more so than livestock grazing,” said founder Andrea Maki.

This year marks the first large-scale bait trap operation for the Challis Herd. The Idaho BLM aims to gather 150 horses, remove 50, and treat returning mares with the PZP-22 fertility control vaccine to manage population growth, maintaining herd numbers between 185 and 253. The current population is estimated at 280 wild horses.

Wild Love Preserve will ensure humane treatment and care during the bait trap gather. They are also prepared to address the needs of Challis wild horses that are not adopted, as they did in 2012.

The Challis Herd Management Area spans 154,150 acres of public land, home to numerous bands of the Challis Wild Horse Herd. Past BLM helicopter roundups in 2009 captured 366 Challis wild horses, with 155 returned to the range. In 2012, 267 horses were captured, 150 were permanently removed, leaving about 185 free-roaming.

Wild Love Preserve was present for the 2012 BLM Helicopter Roundup of the Challis Herd. Their Adoption Project ensured all available Challis wild horses remained together and wild on their native turf.

“Wild Love’s interest is in wild horses remaining wild, free, and together on their native turf. We have remained diligent in our efforts, achieving successes in phases, with much work yet to do, as this is a multi-faceted situation,” Maki said.

This is the fourth year of Wild Love Preserve's PZP-1YR fertility management program, which has successfully slowed population growth.

Maki noted that Wild Love Preserve Programs have saved taxpayers more than $7.5 million since 2012, funded privately by donations and grants.

Originally posted by Horse Talk NZ