The Man Who Could Save America's Wild Horses

When Ken Salazar announced his resignation as Secretary of the Interior, it sparked speculation among wild horse advocates about his successor. Salazar, a Colorado rancher, was never trusted by the wild horse community. Under his leadership, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) left the horses more vulnerable than they had been in decades.

Two main thoughts emerged. Some activists feared President Barack Obama might appoint Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, known for her environmental experience but criticized for her livestock policies. In contrast, many saw Representative Raul Grijalva as the ideal candidate. Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, has been a staunch supporter of wild horses in Congress.

Grijalva co-sponsored the "Restore Our American Mustangs Act" in 2009, which aimed to enhance federal protection for wild horses. Although it passed the House, it failed in the Senate. In 2011, he urged Salazar to halt the BLM's detrimental policies towards the horses.

Grijalva's commitment to wild horses is evident. He challenges the ranching lobbies and advocates for transparency in the Obama Administration's dealings on the issue. His potential appointment as Secretary of the Interior could address the fallout from emerging stories about federal involvement in the sale of wild horses for slaughter, a practice prohibited by law.

In an interview, Grijalva emphasized the need for oversight and enforcement of new BLM rules to prevent the sale of wild horses for slaughter. He advocates for transparency and national-level oversight to ensure the protection of wild horses.

Grijalva also discussed potential long-term solutions, such as creating habitats for wild horses through public-private partnerships. He believes in non-invasive herd control methods and sees adoption as a partial solution.

Regarding welfare ranching, Grijalva suggests conditioning grazing rates on ranchers' commitments to protect wild horses. He proposes maintaining lower rates in exchange for enforceable protection clauses for the herds.

Grijalva envisions an attitude change in the Interior Department, emphasizing conservation and preservation of wild horses as part of the West's heritage. He believes this approach could foster collaboration with ranchers and the livestock industry.

Originally Posted By The Atlantic