Wild Horse Population Surge Sparks Debate Among Ranchers and Advocates
April 9, 2019
In the high-desert landscape near Tooele, Utah, the Onaqui mountain herd of wild horses roams freely. However, this iconic scene is under threat as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to remove more than half of the herd to control their growing numbers. This decision has sparked a debate between ranchers and wild horse advocates.
Rob Hammer, an amateur photographer, visits the area to capture the beauty of these mustangs. He fears that the upcoming roundup will devastate the ecotourism potential of the region. For Hammer and others, wild horses symbolize the spirit of the American West, tracing their lineage back to animals that escaped from wagon trains and cavalry regiments over 150 years ago.
However, ranchers like Mark Wintch, president of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, argue that the unchecked growth of wild horse populations threatens their livelihoods. With no natural predators, these horses compete with cattle and sheep for limited resources on public lands.
Wild horses are protected under the 1971 Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which mandates population limits. Currently, the BLM estimates that wild horse numbers are nearly three times the federal limit. While hunting is illegal and direct sales to slaughter are prohibited, the BLM conducts roundups to manage populations, offering horses for adoption. However, adoption rates are slow, leading to overcrowded holding facilities.
Advocates criticize the roundups, citing dangers to the horses and potential loopholes that could lead to slaughter. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) highlights the traumatic separation of horses from their families during these events.
One potential solution is the use of contraceptives, such as porcine zona pellucida (PZP), to control populations. Volunteers trained by the BLM administer these vaccines to prevent mares from foaling. While effective, this method requires close proximity to the horses, which can be challenging.
Despite these efforts, the BLM plans to round up more than 300 horses near the Onaqui mountains this year. The agency aims to balance the interests of ranchers, advocates, and management objectives, but this remains a contentious issue.
Rob Hammer believes that prioritizing financial benefits over preserving the landscape and its inhabitants will lead to long-term losses. Meanwhile, Tim Clark, a volunteer, acknowledges the BLM's difficult position in managing this complex situation.