Proposed Wild Horse Eco-Sanctuary Aims to Solve Overcrowding

Facing a wild horse holding predicament, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is grappling with an abundance of animals on rangelands and overcrowded long-term holding facilities. The BLM manages wild horses and burros by rounding up excess animals in overpopulated areas, housing them in pens until adoption. However, with dwindling public interest in adoption and nearing capacity in long-term facilities, the BLM faces a critical challenge.

Tom Gorey, National BLM spokesman, acknowledges the complexity of the issue, noting that a quick fix doesn't exist. The agency is under scrutiny from various stakeholders, all agreeing that current practices need change. Local BLM officials suggest that innovative solutions are necessary, one of which is an eco-sanctuary.

Eco-Sanctuary Proposal

An eco-sanctuary in Elko County has been in planning for over five years, according to Madeleine Pickens, founder of Saving America's Mustangs. The sanctuary would encompass about 17,000 acres of private land and over 500,000 acres of public land in southeast Elko County. The BLM's final scoping report acknowledges that current practices are ineffective and highlights the need for innovative solutions.

Pickens plans to provide a habitat for wild horses, allowing them to roam freely and avoid languishing in short-term holding pens. The BLM's Elko District is developing an environmental impact statement, with a tentative completion date of September. Meanwhile, Pickens has already rescued 600 horses from slaughter, housing them on private land.

Challenges and Opportunities

Pickens acknowledges the resistance to change within the BLM, stating, "Changing anything in life is not easy. You have to do it because it's the right thing to do and the kind thing to do." Her sanctuary includes an educational component aimed at reinstilling public awe for wild horses. She envisions guided tours and educational programs to attract both international and local visitors.

Public comments on the eco-sanctuary proposal suggest a range of activities, from equine-related experiences to luxurious amenities. However, concerns about the project's cost, impact on public lands, and efficacy remain.

Alternative Perspectives

Not all horse advocates support the eco-sanctuary. Suzanne Roy, director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), criticizes the proposal as a rebranding of long-term holding. She advocates for keeping horses in the wild and controlling populations through selective fertilization.

Neda Demayo, founder of Return To Freedom's American Wild Horse Sanctuary, supports alternative management solutions. Her sanctuary uses non-hormonal fertility treatments to manage a horse population of about 400. Demayo emphasizes the availability of solutions, stating, "It's our tax dollars and our public lands. There are alternatives out there, but it would take a dedicated effort."

Originally Posted By Elko Daily Free Press