Wild Horse Birth Control: A Humane Alternative to Mass Killing

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) advocates for humane solutions to manage wild horse populations on public lands. Recently, the House Appropriations Committee voted to authorize the killing of healthy wild horses and burros, a decision supported by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. This move has sparked outrage among conservationists and the public.

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) current strategy of rounding up wild horses and relying on adoptions has proven ineffective. With 46,000 wild horses in holding facilities costing taxpayers $60 million annually, a new approach is necessary.

Experts suggest that managing wild horse reproduction on the range is crucial. At the International Conference in Wildlife Fertility Control, researchers presented data on contraceptive vaccines like PZP and GonaCon, which can effectively manage populations. These vaccines are known for their safety and minimal side effects.

Successful trials at Cedar Mountains Herd Management Area in Utah demonstrate that fertility control can significantly reduce population growth. The BLM must implement locally tailored plans to manage wild horses and burros using fertility control, rather than resorting to killing.

Bill Richardson, a former U.S. congressman and governor of New Mexico, and Allen Rutberg, director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University, advocate for this humane approach. They urge Congress to fund fertility control initiatives to ensure sustainable wild horse management.

Originally posted by The Hill