Owyhee Complex Roundup: November 2016
Photo by Mike Lorden
Owyhee Complex Roundup Overview
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) embarked on a controversial roundup of 1,100 wild horses from the Owyhee Complex in eastern Nevada, starting on November 2, 2016. This operation, marked by its scale and impact, concluded with significant outcomes for the wild horse population in the area. Below are the daily reports detailing the events and consequences of this roundup.
December 2, 2016
The massive Owyhee Complex wild horse roundup ended in Nevada with the capture of 229 wild horses (89 stallions, 95 mares, and 45 foals) from an area south of the Little Owyhee Herd Management Area. This additional roundup was added after the helicopter contractor finished the operation within the Owyhee Complex a week early, and BLM Nevada received authorization from the national BLM office in Washington, DC, to round up and remove 200 more wild horses.
Owyhee Complex Roundup Summary
In total, 1,832 wild horses (704 studs, 773 mares, 355 foals) were captured in this roundup, which began on November 2. At least 17 horses died, and 399 were returned to the range. Of these, 199 were mares treated with the PZP-22 birth control vaccine. 1,433 were permanently removed from their homes on the range and shipped to BLM's holding pens near Reno, NV. These horses will never be free again and face an uncertain fate.
December 1, 2016
Read report from the field here.
November 30, 2016
No public observation was allowed on this day when 78 wild horses (24 stallions, 38 mares, and 16 foals) were captured in the roundup. By contrast, only 11 horses were captured the day before when public observation was allowed. The BLM has restricted public observation of this roundup by siting one of two trap sites on private land and restricting public observation at the private land trap site to just Tuesdays and Thursdays.
November 29, 2016
Read report from the field here.
November 28, 2016
Helicopters were not flying today.
November 27, 2016
Helicopters were not flying today.
November 26, 2016
Today, 69 wild horses lost their freedom. Read report from Return to Freedom's Humane Observer here.
November 25, 2016
108 wild horses were captured and removed today.
November 24, 2016
121 wild horses were rounded up by helicopter today.
November 23, 2016
Helicopters were not flying today due to inclement weather.
November 22, 2016
6 wild horses were removed today. Read report from Return to Freedom's Humane Observer here.
November 21, 2016
No wild horses were captured today, but there were 3 deaths at temporary holding.
November 20, 2016
151 wild horses were rounded up, and there were two deaths.
November 19, 2016
140 wild horses were rounded up, and there were 3 deaths. 83 horses were shipped to holding.
November 18, 2016
The roundup picked back up today on the Winnemucca District side of the Owyhee Complex. 149 horses lost their freedom, and there was 1 death.
November 16, 2016
No horses were removed today, and the trap site was taken down to begin the Winnemucca portion of the roundup at the end of the week. Between 40-50 horses were released back into the HMA.
November 15, 2016
No horses were removed today, but 42 studs were released back onto the range.
November 14, 2016
33 wild horses were rounded up and removed from the range.
November 13, 2016
80 wild horses were rounded up and removed from the range, and 39 were shipped to holding.
November 12, 2016
95 wild horses were rounded up and removed from the range, and 25 were shipped to holding.
November 11, 2016
8 wild horses were rounded up today, and 83 were shipped to holding.
Owyhee mares at the Palomino Valley holding facility.
November 10, 2016
100 wild horses were rounded up and removed.
November 9, 2016
49 wild horses lost their freedom today, and there was one death.
November 8, 2016
No horses were rounded up today.
November 7, 2016
No horses were rounded up and removed today, but there was one death. According to BLM: a 12-year-old mare died overnight due to an internal infection.
November 6, 2016
114 wild horses were captured, and there were no deaths.
November 5, 2016
128 wild horses were captured, and a 25-year-old mare died overnight at the holding facility due to a displaced intestine.
November 4, 2016
36 wild horses were captured, and there were no deaths.
November 3, 2016
50 wild horses were captured, and there was 1 death. From the BLM: "1-year-old bay mare died immediately after injury sustained from coming in contact with a panel."
November 2, 2016
77 wild horses were captured, and there was 1 death. From the BLM: "8-year-old black mare was euthanized due to injury and poor prognosis of recovery."