Over 2,000 Wild Horses Removed, 26 Die in Nevada Roundup, Group Reports
In a significant and controversial operation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has removed over 2,000 wild horses from Nevada's public lands. This roundup, which took place at the Pancake Complex, has sparked debate and legislative action due to the reported deaths of 26 horses during the process. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has been vocal about the implications of such operations.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- The Bureau of Land Management says more than 2,000 wild horses were removed from Nevada's public lands in the latest roundup.
The Pancake Complex horse gather took place about 80 miles northeast of Tonopah or 30 miles west of Ely on Feb. 14. The BLM said 2,054 "excess" wild horses were removed.
Six studs and 18 previously treated mares were released. The BLM said the horses were given a "population suppression vaccine."
According to the BLM, the reason for the roundup was overpopulation:
The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild horses within and outside the Complex, where there was not enough water and/or forage to support the number of horses in the area, to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.
The horses were taken to Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corral in Fallon, Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center in Sparks, and the Sutherland Off-Range Corral in Sutherland, Utah. The horses will be placed into the BLM's adoption program.
"Wild horses not adopted or sold 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," BLM said in a statement on Tuesday.
Controversy
According to the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), 26 horses died in the helicopter roundup:
During the roundup, 26 horses lost their lives. Of those, five deaths were considered “acute,” attributed to the operation. Some of the causes of death included fractured necks, weakened and recumbent conditions (unable to get up), and other broken bones. The remaining deaths were euthanasias that were noted as pre-existing and/or chronic and included conditions such as lameness, blindness, and tooth loss — both non-life-threatening conditions.
Given the nature of the roundup, the group said Congresswoman Dina Titus introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to ban the use of helicopters for roundups.