Summer Roundups Underway: BLM's Impact on Wild Horses
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently conducting its summer roundup season, significantly impacting America's wild horse populations. The agency has expanded its short-term holding capacity to accommodate nearly 15,000 wild horses and burros, enabling more extensive roundups from public lands. This move poses a threat to the lives of these majestic animals. The BLM often uses 'emergency' as a justification to bypass legal requirements for analysis and public comment, complicating efforts by advocacy organizations to monitor these mass captures.
Roundups
Sulphur HMA
- Start date: August 1, 2018
- Reason: Supporting the BLM’s good neighbor and shared conservation stewardship goals
- Method: Helicopter
Photo of Sulphur family by Steve Paige, AWHC
On August 1, the BLM will begin removing wild horses from areas within and outside the Bible Springs Complex and Sulphur Herd Management Area in Iron and Beaver Counties. Approximately 200 wild horses will be transported to the BLM holding facility in Axtell, Utah.
Red Desert Complex
- Start date: August 8/9, 2018 (tentatively)
- Reason: Over AML
- Method: Helicopter
Photo of Green Mountain family by Andy Dyson
Beginning on August 7, the BLM Wyoming Rawlins and Lander field offices will conduct a helicopter roundup of wild horses from the Red Desert Wild Horse Complex. The BLM plans to remove 2,670 adult horses from the range, with specific numbers from various HMAs.
Muddy Creek HMA
- Start Date: TBD
- Reason: Utah/BLM State Agreement
- Method: TBD
The BLM Price Field Office will conduct a wild horse removal at the Muddy Creek HMA, aiming to adjust sex ratios and treat mares with fertility control.
COMPLETED: Bullfrog HMA, bait/water
- Start date: July 6
- Reason: Excess, Public Safety
- Method: Bait/Water
Burros from the Bullfrog HMA
The BLM Battle Mountain District, Tonopah Field Office completed the removal of wild burros from the Bullfrog HMA on July 24, 2018, capturing 404 burros.
COMPLETED: Range Creek HMA
- Reason: Excess horses, “nuisance”
- Method: Bait/Water
- Start date: June 26, 2018
The BLM concluded a water and bait trap removal of wild horses outside the Range Creek HMA, permanently removing 91 wild horses.
COMPLETED: Goshute HMA/Antelope
- Reason: Excess horses, private land
- Method: Bait/Water
- Start date: June 25, 2018
The BLM Elko District Office completed the Outside Goshute Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather, removing 135 wild horses.
“Emergency” Removals
Antelope Valley HMA
- Method: Bait/Water
- Reason: Lack of Water
- Start date: July 23
The BLM Elko District, Wells Field Office began an emergency water removal on July 23, planning to remove 250 excess wild horses.
Cedar Mountain HMA
- Method: Bait/Water
- Reason: Lack of water
- Start date: July 13
Photo of Cedar Mountain horses being rounded up by BLM Utah
The BLM Salt Lake Field Office began removing wild horses from the Cedar Mountain HMA on July 13, citing reduced spring flow and lack of water.
Pancake HMA
- Reason: Lack of water
- Method: Bait/Water
- Start date: July 9, 2018
*POSTPONED: This roundup has been postponed due to flash flooding.
The BLM Ely District, Bristlecone Field Office began removing wild horses from the Pancake HMA on July 9, capturing 21 wild horses.
Piute Mountain Herd HA
- Reason: Lack of Water
- Method: Bait/Water
- Start date: June 28, 2018 (should last 1 month)
The BLM California Desert District, Needles Field Office began a bait-trap removal on June 28, capturing 31 burros.