The National Academy of Sciences Criticizes BLM Wild Horse Program

On June 5, 2013, the National Academies released a pivotal report on the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program. This report marks a significant turning point for wild horses and burros, highlighting the inefficiencies and high costs of current management practices. It advocates for humane alternatives toroundups, aligning with long-standing calls from wild horse advocates.

- National Academies, June 2013

The report serves as a powerful validation of what wild horse advocates have been saying for years. It provides a strong case for halting wild horseroundupsand implementing available alternatives to humanely manage wild horses on the range where they belong. Clickhereto read the American Wild Horse Conservation's (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) press release on this milestone report.

More Information

• "Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burros Program: A Way Forward," National Academies Report
• Key Findings of the NAS Report

News

• Congress will have to step in to resolve wild horse issues, Reno Gazette Journal
• After Wild Horse Report, Jewell Faces First Moment of Truth at Interior, The Atlantic
• Congress will have to step in to resolve wild horse issues, Reno Gazette Journal
• Fertility drugs, nature better than horse roundups, Associated Press
• Report Criticizes U.S. Stewardship of Wild Horses, The New York Times
• Independent panel to recommend changes in BLM wild horse program, Associated Press
• U.S. management of wild horses flawed, scientific report finds, Reuters
• Scientific Review criticizes government roundups of wild horses, NBC News
• Independent panel: Wild horse roundups don’t work; use fertility drugs, let nature cull herds, Washington Post
• Horse experts call for end of federal mustang roundups, USA Today
• Science panel: Feds making wild horse situation worse, McClatchy
• Report: Birth control better for wild horses than BLM roundups, The Salt Lake Tribune
• Study finds BLM’s wild horse management practices are flawed, Wyoming Public Media
• Government report rips controversial wild horse program as ‘expensive and unproductive', The Daily Caller
• BLM wild horse program slammed in National Academy of Sciences report, Carson Now
• Wild horses: The bad science behind BLM's management plan, Denver Westward
• THE WEST: Report slams wild horse, burro roundups, The Press-Enterprise
• Wild horse report concludes that BLM management program needs overhaul, Denver Post

News Releases/Statements

• AWHPC/Return to Freedom: National Coalition Calls for Halt to Wild Horse Roundups in Wake of Independent Report
• Congressman Raul Grijalva Reacts to National Academy of Sciences Report
• Animal Welfare Institute: National Academy Report Finds Serious Fault with BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Management Program
• Animal Welfare Institute Statement on NAS Report
• Majority of Americans Want Wild Horses Protected, National Poll Says
• HSUS: Independent Report Shows that the BLM's Wild Horse Program is Ineffective
• ASPCA Supports New Study on Management of Wild Horses in the U.S.
• NAS report fails to analyze the elephant in the room

Background

Eyewitness Reports on National Academies Public Meetings:

• Meeting 1, October 27, 2011
• Meeting 2, March 19, 2012
• Webinar on SpayVac, May 3, 2012
• Meeting 4, May 14, 2012

Correspondence With & Statements to the NAS Wild Horse and Burro Review Committee:

• AWHPC/AWI Comments on NAS Wild Horse and Burro Review Provisional Panel
• AWHPC Letter to NAS Regarding Bias of Panel Member Paul Krausman
• Senator Landrieu/Reps. Moran & Burton Letter to NAS
• AWHPC Statement at NAS Wild Horse and Burro Review Panel Meeting October 2011
• Return to Freedom Statement at NAS Wild Horse and Burro Review Panel Meeting October 2012

NAS Information:

• Wild Horse and Burro Review Public Documents
• Wild Horse and Burro Review Committee Information
• NAS Genetics & Fertility Report, 1991
• NAS Final Report, January 1983