Virginia Range Horse Deadline Passes Without Bids

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has announced that no proposals were received from advocates to take over the management of the 3,000 wild horses in the Virginia Range. This development has prompted the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) to renew its call for negotiations with the NDA. The aim is to establish a public/private partnership for the humane management of these free-roaming wild horses.

Background on Cooperative Agreements

The American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) initiated the call for negotiations following the NDA's announcement of no bids. A lawsuit was filed by the AWHC, claiming that the proposal violated existing Cooperative Agreements between them and the NDA.

These agreements, established in 2013 and 2015, require the state to notify the AWHC about the removal of Virginia Range horses from the wild. They also grant the AWHC the right to purchase the horses before they are sent to slaughter auctions. Additionally, the agreements propose population control through a humane birth control program.

Current Challenges and Future Steps

In October 2017, the AWHC received a 30-day termination notice from the NDA for both agreements. The ongoing negotiations aim to address the issues arising from the termination of these agreements and to resolve the dispute for the benefit of both the horses and the residents of the Virginia Range area, as the horses' habitats are decreasing.

Originally posted by KTVN