Stunning Lack of Transparency in BLM and University of Wyoming's Adobe Town Wild Horse Study

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the University of Wyoming are conducting a radio collar study on wild mares in the Adobe Town Herd Management Area. This study has sparked significant concern regarding the health and well-being of the mares involved. The process involves capturing the mares through bait trapping, transporting them to Rock Springs, and fitting them with radio collars. These collars will remain on the mares for two years before they are returned to their original location. This process is potentially traumatic for the mares and their families.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for mares to get their feet caught in the collars or for the collars to grow into their necks as they gain weight, particularly if they are pregnant. Questions about how the collars would be removed if a mare was in distress were not well received at a recent Q&A session conducted by the USGS at the Rock Springs corrals. Although the collars are designed to allow for weight gain, this could increase the risk of them getting caught on something.

Despite improvements in collar design, there have been reports of mares being injured or dying due to radio collars. Alternatives such as direct observation were dismissed as impractical, despite being less intrusive. Concerns about mares being released without their families were also left unanswered.

Before visiting Rock Springs, there was significant concern about the lack of public observation allowed by the BLM. Public oversight is crucial to prevent abuse. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) requested legal intervention to allow observation of the bait trapping and collaring process, but the BLM did not change its stance. Although they promised public observation from an overlook, this did not occur as the mares were kept out of sight.

Using a long lens, it was possible to see some mares without collars. Nine mares were captured, but five were too young for the study. The inability to distinguish between young and mature mares raises questions about the process. Public observation could have prevented unnecessary stress on these young mares.

During the visit, the collars and tracking equipment were demonstrated. Concerns were raised about the reliability of the collars in adverse weather conditions. Despite the availability of more advanced technology, the study relies on outdated methods, causing unnecessary stress on the mares.

A meeting with the BLM is scheduled to observe the release of the collared mares. It is hoped that the mares will remain safe and unharmed during this process.

Originally posted by Wild Hoof Beats