Roundup Report: Marietta Wild Horse & Burro Roundup

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commenced a wild horse and burro roundup in the Marietta Herd Management Area (HMA) on August 20, 2024. Spanning over 66,045 acres in Nevada, the operation aims to capture 87 horses and 652 burros using helicopters. This effort targets an aggressive,unscientificappropriate management level (AML)of 0 horses and 78-104 burros. A 2022BLMsurvey estimated populations at 38 horses and 556 burros, indicating a significant reduction goal.

Post Roundup Summary

Aug 20, 2024 - Aug 24, 2024

During the roundup, observers faced consistent restrictions on visibility and wereunable to see the actual trap.High temperatures raised concerns aboutanimal welfare, and asignificant number of foals were captured and shipped.

Contractor: CattoorLivestockRoundup, Inc. Paid $140,125.

Short term holding(STH)

• Horses:Palomino Valley Off-Range Corrals
• Burros: Axtell Off-Range Corrals

Final totals*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 321
• 25 Wild Horses (6 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 5 Foals)—under BLM target.
• 296 Wild Burros (110 Jacks, 121 Jennies, and 65 Foals)—over BLM target.
• Shipped: 317
• 21 Wild Horses (5 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 5 Foals)
• 296 Wild Burros (110 Jacks, 121 Jennies, and 65 Foals)

Herd reduction*According toBLM's estimated population

• 68% (Horses)
• 76% (Burros)

4 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• Three of the four deaths occurred on the first day of operations, all mares and all due to poor body condition (BCS 1).

AWHC is on the ground. Read our reports below

August 24, 2024:Final day of operations.

Total shipped today:44 (44 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)*According toBLMreport

August 23, 2024

Weather: 55°F-84°F

Total shipped today:124 (66 Jacks, 37 Jennies and 21 Foals)*According toBLMreport

August 22, 2024

Weather:50s°- 90s°F, theheat raised concerns aboutanimal welfare.

Summary:Final day ofroundups.Observers hadno visibility of the trap site;one run was—barely—discernible in the far distance. The public wasdeclined a tourof the trap and could only view the burros loaded inlivestocktrucks and temporary holding.

Daily total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 87 (27 Jacks, 38 Jennies and 22 Foals)
• Shipped: 128 (0 Jacks, 84 Jennies and 44 Foals)

Observer view of roundup.

Burros in holding.

August 21, 2024

Weather:50s°- 90°FSummary: Placed behind a hill, thetrap was completely hiddenfrom observers. The day appeared to go smoothly. Apronounced number of young burros and foals were captured.Holding facility loading was not visible.

Daily total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 210 (84 Jacks, 83 Jennies and 43 Foals)
• Shipped: 21 (5 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 5 Foals)

1 Death.*According toBLMreport

• 13-year-old, Gray stallion euthanized due tosevere lameness—right front leg.

Amidst clouds of dust, large burro groups, including many foals, being pushed to the trap.

August 20, 2024

Weather: 48° to 85°F

Summary: Positioned behind a hill, observers couldonly glimpse the tip of one wing.The first run of the day pushed a small group, including alagging foal unable to keep pace. During the third run, the helicopter targeted another small group, also with a foal, that managed to briefly evade the trap. The pilot pursued them for at least 45 minutes. A wrangler eventually roped in one horse and ceased the chase. No burros were pursued today.

Total captured today: 25 (6 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 5 Foals)*According toBLMreport

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreports

• 20-plus-year-old,Bay mareeuthanized due topoor body condition (BCS 1)
• 18-year-old,Bay mareeuthanized due topoor body condition (BCS 1)
• 15-year-old,Bay mareeuthanized due topoor body condition (BCS 1)

Foal running with small band.

Foal nursing in holding.

Protracted roping.

Foal struggling to keep pace with the group.

Last updated September, 2024