Why Hundreds of Wild Horses in California Are Being Rounded Up

The Controversial Roundup of California's Wild HorsesThe Controversial Roundup of California's Wild Horses

In October 2018, a significant roundup of wild horses began in Northern California, sparking controversy and concern among animal advocacy groups. Up to 1,000 horses from the Devil's Garden Plateau in Modoc National Forest are being gathered for sale and adoption, with fears that some may end up in slaughterhouses.

The Devil's Garden Plateau, located near the Oregon border, is home to California's largest wild horse herd, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The roundup commenced on October 9 and will continue throughout the month. Of the 1,000 horses collected, approximately 700 are pregnant mares or under 10 years old and will be sent to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adoption facility. Horses older than 10 will be held temporarily, with adoption fees starting at $125.

These older horses will be available for adoption at $125 each for 30 days. After this period, the price drops to $1 each, allowing buyers to purchase up to three dozen horses at a time. According to a release from the volunteer-run Devil's Garden Horses page, this offers trainers a business opportunity, although it also opens the possibility of horses being sold to slaughter.

Exploiting a Loophole

The "horse gather," as termed by the U.S. Forest Service, has raised alarms among animal advocacy groups. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) claims the government is "exploiting a legal loophole" that could lead to the slaughter of hundreds of horses. While the BLM is prohibited from selling horses for slaughter, the Forest Service is not bound by the same rule, leading to concerns about the current administration's policies.

Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation, expressed her dismay, stating, "It’s a sad irony that the first federally protected wild horses in decades to be purposefully sold by the government for slaughter will come from California — a state where the cruel practice of horse slaughter has been banned since the 1990s." She emphasized the need for humane and socially acceptable management of the horse population.

Not Enough Room for Them All

Federal officials argue that the land cannot sustain the current herd size. "Our territory is supposed to have 206 to 402 animals, we have almost 4,000 horses," said Modoc National Forest Supervisor Amanda McAdams in a statement to the Sacramento Bee. The horses roam over 250,000 acres, but the area lacks sufficient vegetation and water.

Efforts are underway to adopt out as many horses as possible, but Forest Service spokesman Ken Sandusky noted that the government "cannot be reasonably expected" to adopt them all. He stated that long-term holding is not a viable option, making unlimited sale the only fiscally responsible choice.

The American Wild Horse Conservation urges the Forest Service to slow down and reduce the herd incrementally to ensure humane placement. However, the government maintains that small removals are insufficient, given the population growth rate of 20-25 percent, which results in 800-1,000 new wild horses born annually.

For more information on the roundup and adoptions, visit this Forest Service page about the Devil's Garden horses.

Originally posted by MNN

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