Oregon Judge Halts BLM's Plan to Sterilize Wild Horses

In a significant legal decision, a federal judge has halted the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) controversial plan to sterilize wild horses in Oregon. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about humane methods of population control for these iconic animals.

On November 2, 2018, a federal judge stopped the BLM's plans to remove the ovaries of wild horses in Oregon's Warm Springs Herd Management Area. This procedure is on hold pending the outcome of a court case brought by animal rights groups.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman indicated that the claims by these groups, which argue for the presence of an observer during surgeries, are likely valid. The coalition, including the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), Animal Welfare Institute, The Cloud Foundation, and a photographer, insists that an outside veterinarian should monitor the sterilizations and that non-intrusive cameras should be placed in the holding area.

The groups oppose the BLM's plan, labeling it as inhumane. They advocate for temporary birth control methods, such as dart-administered contraceptives, to manage the wild horse population.

The federal government has long struggled with managing the wild horse population in eastern Oregon. Despite efforts to round up and sell horses for adoption, the population continues to grow rapidly, leading to ecological concerns.

The BLM's proposal to remove ovaries has faced opposition before. Ginger Kathrens, executive director of The Cloud Foundation, expressed hope that the BLM would reconsider its decision, describing the plan as "the most inhumane and impractical management tool imaginable."

Originally posted by The Oregonian.