Public-Private Partnership Continues to Benefit McCullough Peaks Wild Horses

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Friends of a Legacy (FOAL) have forged a successful partnership that continues to benefit the McCullough Peaks wild horses and the surrounding rangelands. This collaboration has led to effective management practices, including fertility control and habitat enhancement, ensuring the health and sustainability of the wild horse population.

Partnership Success in McCullough Peaks

The BLM announced today that its ongoing partnership with FOAL has resulted in healthy wild horses and rangelands in 2018. The BLM administered a field darting program involving 62 mares within the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA). FOAL played a crucial role by purchasing the fertility control and assisting the BLM with the program. Additionally, FOAL contributed $8,500 to clean and refurbish three reservoirs within the HMA, providing essential water resources for wild horses, cattle, pronghorn, deer, and other wildlife.

Long-standing Collaboration

The BLM Cody Field Office has collaborated with FOAL since the non-profit's inception in 2005. Together, they manage the herd effectively, coordinate public education opportunities, and enhance the habitat for all creatures living within the McCullough Peaks HMA.

Fertility Control Program

Since 2011, annual field darting with the fertility control vaccine porcine zona pellucida (PZP) has been implemented in the McCullough Peaks herd, successfully reducing horse birth rates. “The BLM’s partnership with FOAL is vital to sustainably managing the McCullough Peaks herd, as well as maintaining healthy, productive public rangelands for wildlife and livestock that share the herd management area,” said BLM Cody Field Manager Cade Powell.

To date, FOAL has contributed over $45,000 in PZP and the necessary darting supplies. The BLM and FOAL dart 50–80 mares annually, resulting in an average birth rate of only 9 foals each year since 2011, compared to an average of 30 foals born in previous years.

Additional Contributions

The fertility control program, along with occasional bait trap removals and adoptions, has enabled the BLM to maintain the wild horse population near its appropriate management level while improving rangeland health conditions. FOAL also makes substantial annual contributions for reservoir cleaning and water development projects within the HMA.

Originally Posted By BLM