Wyoming Castration Plan Lawsuit Documentation (July 2011)

Litigation
AWHC's Fight Against Wyoming Wild Horse CastrationAWHC's Fight Against Wyoming Wild Horse Castration

In July 2011, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) joined forces with the Western Watersheds Project to file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The lawsuit aimed to halt the BLM's plan to round up wild horses in the White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas (HMAs), remove them from the range, and return castrated stallions to the public lands. This legal action was supported by a Green River couple, Greg and Donna Duckworth, and wildlife photographer Carol Walker.

Update: On August 2, the Department of Justice, representing the BLM, informed the court of the withdrawal of the mass sterilization plan. By August 8, the case was discharged from federal court, marking a victory for the plaintiffs.

Several leading scientists and experts in wild horse biology, genetics, and behavior supported the lawsuit, arguing that the BLM's plan violated the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, a prominent expert, emphasized that geldings would not exhibit the natural behaviors essential for a viable herd.

Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick stated, "The very essence of the wild horse is the social organization and social behaviors. Geldings will no longer exhibit the natural behaviors of non-castrated stallions."

For more information on this lawsuit and updates, see the news articles and releases below.

News Articles

News Releases

Legal Documents

Related Tags:

#Legal Challenges
#BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
#Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971
#Humane Management
#Litigation
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