Sulphur Wild Horse Roundup Report

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initiated a wild horse roundup in the Sulphur Herd Management Area (HMA) on August 12, 2024. Spanning 265,711 acres across Iron, Beaver, and Millard counties in Utah, the BLM aimed to capture 420 horses using helicopters, intending to remove 360, release 60, and treat 30 with the fertility control vaccine GonaCon. This operation sought to align the horse population with the BLM's unscientific Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 165-250 horses. The current estimated population stands at 606, based on a 2023 survey. The BLM contracted C D Warner Livestock LLC, with removed horses held at the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility.

Post Roundup Summary

Aug 13, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024

During the five days observers attended the Sulphur roundup, several concerning trends were noted. High temperatures seemed to over-exhaust horses who may have been pushed too hard or for too long; observers noted horses sweating heavily, lagging behind, and foals being separated on these particularly hot days. Additionally, the trap site was significantly obscured from view. On one occasion, when observers had a partial view of the trap, a horse managed to escape. On the first day of operations, a mare died trying to escape in the trap’s back pen. This, combined with the lack of visibility, raises concerns that the trap's construction could have been faulty.

Contractor: C D Warner Livestock LLC. Unreported payment.

Short term holding (STH): Axtell Off-Range Wild Horse Facility

Results

• Captured: 422 Wild Horses (139 Stallions, 196 Mares, and 87 Foals)—over BLM target.
• Shipped: 403 Wild Horses (123 Stallions, 195 Mares, and 85 Foals)—over BLM target.
• Treated w/ fertility control: 0—under BLM target.
• Released: 13 Wild Horses (13 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)—under BLM target.

Herd reduction: 64% ^{*According to BLM's estimated population}

6 Deaths. ^{*According to BLM report}

AWHC is on the ground—read our reports below

August 23, 2024

Weather: 60s°- 70s°F, wind advisory in place

Summary: On the final day of operations, observers could only view the trap's end from a distance, with no visibility of the wings. Several groups with foals were trapped throughout the day. Strong winds hindered the helicopter's ability to push a few remaining horses into the trap, leading to an early conclusion of the roundup. The BLM reported that the remaining animals in temporary holding would be shipped the next morning, with a final daily gather overview to be provided once the animals are received at the Axtell facility.

From the roundup, a trailer carried a seemingly injured foal struggling to walk. A foal was later euthanized for the “pre-existing fracture [...] limited movement.” It is unclear if this is the same one.

Daily total

• Captured: 31 (9 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 9 Foals)
• Shipped: 33 (0 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 11 Foals)
• Released: 13 (13 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

2 Deaths. ^{*According to BLM report}

• A foal colt had a preexisting fracture on left front humerus, causing limited movement.
• A stallion had a preexisting fracture around left front knee, causing limited movement.

Helicopter pursuit

Observer view of trap site

Studs being released.

Studs being released.

August 22, 2024

Weather: 76°- 85°F

Summary: Placed in a heavily wooded area outside of the HMA, the two traps were completely hidden from observers. Only a few horses were seen between trees. An observer noted the helicopter circled and changed direction frequently. Through secondhand reports, observers were told at least one horse was roped. Holding facilities were inaccessible.

Daily total

• Captured: 21 (8 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 4 Foals)
• Shipped: 41 (0 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 15 Foals)

1 Death. ^{*According to BLM report}

• A foal colt had a left front congenital club foot

Trap sites hidden in distance.

Far away, dust clouds rising around the pursued horses.

August 21, 2024

Weather: Mid-80s°F by last run, sunny & windy.

Summary: Terrain extremely obstructed observer visibility; only trap wings were visible and the observer only heard the helicopter. Throughout the day, small groups of horses entered the trap—heads barely visible in wings. After a midday refueling, the pilot attempted to pursue more horses. Despite reports of additional horses in the area, they remained uncooperative and resisted capture, leading the operation to be called off for the day.

Daily total

• Captured: 6 (3 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 2 Foals)
• Shipped: 39 (13 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 0 Foals)

August 20, 2024

Weather: Sunny, 50s°- low 90s°F; a potential health hazard.

Summary: Observers had no visibility of the trap, which was placed in the same location as the previous day and completely hidden in a ravine, with only the entry wings visible. Observers witnessed very few runs; the new viewpoint offered limited views of the horses' movements, obstructed by a hill and rising dust. In one small group, an adult and foal lagged and an adult fell—both appeared to recover. By midday, the helicopter pushed a large visibly tired group of horses from behind the hill. An observer noticed a wrangler bringing in a roped, tiny foal, though it was unclear how long the foal had been separated or if he was reunited with his mother. As temperatures reached 90°F, the helicopter drove another sweaty group, including two foals, into the trap. The rising heat neared a violation of BLM’s welfare standards.

At Axtell Holding Facility, an observer noted the unloading and sorting of the last two trailers, mostly hidden by coverings.

Daily total

• Captured: 84 (27 Stallions, 43 Mares, and 14 Foals)
• Shipped: 44 (13 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 14 Foals)

2 Deaths. ^{*According to BLM report}

• 18-year-old stallion had an old fracture on the right front knee preventing movement.
• 12-year-old stallion had an old fracture on the right front ankle preventing movement.

Roped foal resisting wrangler.

Foal struggling to keep pace with group.

Dust rises as large group is pushed by helicopter.

August 19, 2024

Weather: 69°-85°F

Summary: The trap, partially hidden from view, was obscured by the surrounding trees. Many groups of horses, including foals, were pushed and trapped throughout operations. As the day progressed and heat intensified, many horses were sweating; a group driven to the trap moved at a slow, sweaty trot. As this group approached the wings, it bolted from the trap only to be pursued for another twenty minutes back. Out of observer's sight, an adult in the next group jumped the trap’s jute to escape; a wrangler rode out and roped the horse back in. Temporary holding appeared to be in welfare compliance.

Total captured today: 22 (5 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 7 Foals) ^{*According to BLM report}

August 18, 2024

Weather: 69°-83°F

Daily total

• Captured: 35 (13 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 7 Foals)
• Shipped: 44 (1 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 19 Foals)

August 17, 2024

Weather: 71°-73°F

Daily total

• Captured: 20 (6 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 6 Foals)
• Shipped: 37 (12 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 0 Foals)

August 16, 2024

Weather: 80°-91°F.

Daily total

• Captured: 48 (11 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 7 Foals)
• Shipped: 40 (27 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)

August 15, 2024

Weather: 79°-86°F

Daily total

• Captured: 40 (22 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 17 Foals)
• Shipped: 38 (25 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)

August 14, 2024

Weather: 79°-86°F, ending operations at 4.30 PM.

Daily total

• Captured: 40 (22 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 17 Foals)
• Shipped: 38 (25 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)

August 13, 2024

Weather: 71°-87°F, with winds picking up towards the end of the operation at 2:30 PM.

Daily total

• Captured: 89 (25 Stallions, 46 Mares, and 18 Foals)

1 Death. ^{*According to BLM report}

• 8-year-old mare was in the back pen of the trap while another group was being sorted. The mare tried jumping the panel, fracturing her neck.

Last updated September, 2024