News
Wild Horses Get Temporary Reprieve as Government to Explore Options for Roaming Herds
November 18, 2008, 11:25AM MT
By Julie Snyder
Public action needed now to ensure that widespread euthanasia is never the solution
Public action needed now to ensure that widespread euthanasia is never the solution
RENO, NV—The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will take measures other than widespread euthanasia in an attempt to control herds and skyrocketing costs, according to the Associated Press.
Deputy Director Henri Bisson is quoted as saying that maintaining the wild horse and burro program for another year will give horse advocates, the BLM, Congress, ranchers and wildlife advocates time to explore possible solutions and let ‘cooler heads prevail.’”
A Government Accountability Office report released last week indicated that the BLM will spent about 75% of its budget--$27 million—to take care of the wild horse and burro population.
Some 33,000 wild horses live off the open range in 10 western states, half of them in Nevada. The animals are protected under a 1971 law enacted by Congress and managed by the BLM, which has set a target 27,000 animals as an “appropriate management level.”
Government roundups will still include about 5,000 animals, mostly those facing severe hardship as a result of conditions such as drought. Adoptable animals are offered to the public, while those too old or considered unadoptable are sent to long-term holding facilities.
A reduction in public adoptions and increasing food and care costs for horses in long-term care are key concerns, according to the BLM.
What You Can Do
Contact your legislator.
Find contact information.
Get involved with a wild horse organization.
Wild Horse Spirit
Let ‘em Run Foundation
The Cloud Foundation
Posted by Julie Snyder, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Land Management