Environment

Decline in Wild Horse and Burro Population Raises Concerns Over Management Strategies

LOMPOC, Calif., March 26, 2024 – The recent figures released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) indicate a noticeable decrease in the number of wild horses and burros on BLM-managed public lands. According to the BLM's annual population estimate, there has been a reduction in numbers for the third time in the last four years, with the count falling from 82,883 in the previous year to 73,520 as of March 1, 2024.

Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, a national nonprofit advocacy organization, expressed disapproval of the reported downturn. "This isn't any sort of win for the Bureau of Land Management and definitely not for America's wild horses and burros," she stated, implying that the reduction in numbers does not necessarily equate to success in management.

The Criticism Against BLM's Management Approaches

Critics of the BLM's current approach highlight that adhering strictly to capture-and-removal plans is unlikely to yield long-term success. DeMayo argues that population models support this view. She emphasizes the need for the agency to adopt fertility control methods to help stabilize herd growth. Only by doing this can the disruptive impact of removals be minimized, which can often fracture family bands and herds. Additionally, the phased discontinuation of off-range holding, which comes with high costs and scarce availability, is another recommended step forward.

The BLM has stated aims to maintain wild horse and burro populations at the "Appropriate Management Level" (AML) of up to 26,785 across 177 Herd Management Areas within ten Western states. Despite these aims, there seems to be a disconnect between goals and practices. Over the past five years, the BLM has removed nearly 58,000 wild horses and burros from their ranges while treating a fraction—only about 5,000—with fertility control methods.

The Financial and Ecological Question of Off-Range Holding

Of significant concern is the number of horses and burros not living on the range but kept in government facilities. Currently, over 64,000 of these animals are housed in such locations, where conditions can be overcrowded. In the last year, the BLM allocated a whopping $108.5 million, which constitutes 69% of its wild horse program budget, to off-range holding—an amount more than double the expenditure from just two years prior. The persistent increase in holding costs coupled with plans to remove 20,510 wild horses and burros in the current fiscal year, only treating 1,440 with fertility control, points to a strategy in stark contrast to what many conservation advocates deem effective and sustainable.

Congressional Perspective and Public Opinion

DeMayo points out that Congress has appropriated additional funding for the use of proven, safe, and humane fertility control methods, which enjoy substantial public support and endorsement from numerous stakeholders. Yet, according to DeMayo, the BLM is insistent on employing fertility control only after achieving the self-imposed AMLs, a move that has drawn criticism for being too conservative and out of step with public sentiment and ecological necessity.

She urges Congress to compel the BLM to initiate a much-needed shift towards fertility control as its main management tool immediately, rather than accepting the agency's proposition that its implementation can wait.

Beyond Appropriate Management Levels

The exclusive emphasis on AMLs as the success metric for wild horse management on public lands is becoming increasingly untenable, especially for an organization that is advocating for fertility control yet simultaneously removing wild horses from smaller ranges where these control measures have proven effective.

In recognizing the need for a multifaceted management approach, the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee has attached report language to the Fiscal Year 2024 funding package that outlines expectations. The subcommittee anticipates the BLM to give "specific attention on" increasing the use of fertility control with measurable objectives to moderate population growth, targeting removals strategically, expanding long-term and humane off-range holding, and ensuring the continuation of adoptions backed by stringent protections.

The Controversial Topic of Sterilization

No aspect of the BLM's program has proven more contentious than the planned sterilization of wild mares. The BLM's FY 24 budget justification reveals the intention to pursue sterilization once again. However, the agency's historical attempts at conducting costly and potentially harmful surgical sterilizations on wild mares have repeatedly been aborted due to significant public resistance and legal challenges, casting doubt on the feasibility and desirability of this approach.

Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation's Mission

Further supporting the cause of wild horses and burros, Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF), since its founding in 1998, has been a steadfast advocate for preservation through sanctuary support, educational outreach, and widespread advocacy efforts.

The organization operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary at three California locations, which offers refuge to more than 420 wild horses and burros. RTF is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ensuring concerned parties are well-informed about the plight of these animals and ongoing conservation efforts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the BLM's latest wild horse and burro population reports have brought to light not just a reduction in their numbers but also sparked debate over the management practices of the BLM. Stakeholders and conservation advocates like Return to Freedom continue to call for a reassessment of these methods, pushing for a strategy that includes fertility control, reduced reliance on off-range holding, and the avoidance of highly controversial techniques such as sterilization. Only with comprehensive policy changes and adherence to humane and ecologically responsible practices can the management of America's wild horses and burros be truly successful.

With the interest and support of Congress, public advocacy groups, and widespread public opinion, there is hope that the historic and noble wild horses and burros of the West will thrive for generations to come.

Source credited to Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation.

Please note: The original quote, “This isn't any sort of win for the Bureau of Land Management and definitely not for America's wild horses and burros,” along with an option to share this message on Twitter was available through a button titled "Post this" on the source page. For tailored updates on the wild horses and burros both in the wild and at sanctuary facilities, follow the linked social media platforms.