Our end-of-year traditions always begin with the “top ten” published pieces, as chosen by the public (the number of times the public views the piece), the weekend after Thanksgiving.

In 5 weeks, (or 34 days, or 828 hours, or 49799 minutes); no matter how you say it, the new year is just over the horizon. 

Throughout the year we have increased pressure on the agency to create change on the range, during and after capture through exposure in mainstream news, with lawmakers and in the courts.

In 2023, over 350,000 people read articles and watched videos on our website where we published 168 individual articles, many with additional supporting pieces.

Your “top ten” of 2023: 

Many of our readers look to our team members for roundup documentation. So it is no surprise that roundup coverage populates the “top ten countdown.”

10. Our coverage of the Antelope Complex roundup in July hits the number 10 spot and the number 1 spot. Roundups in July need to stop. The combination of heat made worse by Climate Change, breeding and foaling season, always result in the highest casualty and injury rates. When you toss in the fact that the agency does not have adequate welfare standards, training and enforcement, summer roundups have garnered lawsuits that drove the creation of today’s internal policy. Our lawsuit at Antelope is moving through the courts now to demonstrate the need for formal rule-making and enforceability. So far, the 2024 schedule does not have any helicopter drive trapping. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Above: The “number ten” most viewed video is also from Antelope. Setting traps at locations convenient due to barbed wire and other livestock infrastructure is common. But many of these traps are simply unsafe for capture.

9. Pilot Error Found in Helicopter Crash. This piece comes in at number 9. During the Triple B roundup the pilot was found to be flying dangerously close to the ground when the rear rotor sheared on impact. Our team member was onsite at the roundup and had the only video (at link) of the incident and followed through on locating information involving any investigation.

8. Take Action. Our Action page was busy in 2023. The page features relevant action items and changes throughout the year. We want to thank all of you that took both rapid actions and long action (like for Appropriations). Your fast actions helped us obtain inventory lists at future tours of closed facilities and push for an open data portal that BLM said they will consider.

7. The Hardtrigger, Black Mountain and Sands Basin roundup in Idaho comes in at number 7. In this area prior use of PZP-22 had tilted foaling season later in the year and the roundup went forward anyway. The underlying paperwork is data-poor and placed ease and cost over the consequences to these small herds as BLM switched to the heavy hormonal sledgehammer of GonaCon. Our team is trying to work to help mitigate some of the damage.

6. Home for Special Needs Donkey. We were amazed at how many people responded to the request to help find a home for a burro captured from Marietta in 2017 and returned to BLM. Petunia has a new home and we have heard she is settling in. Thank you.

5. Dragged by the Neck With a Rope. During the summer roundup at Antelope, not only did we see broken legs, necks and babies struggling to keep up, we saw BLM approve things like dragging a horse by the neck with a rope until it collapsed. Not only did they approve it, but the lead BLM person participated.

Stone Cabin, 23

4. Litigation Update. From our case at the Pancake Complex to gain management planning (that BLM asserts they do not have to do because the law does not say “when”) to our case against the inadequate and unenforceable welfare standard grounded at Antelope,  we give you an update.

3. Roundups, 2023. A roundup wrap for 2023 as we look at how BLM performs roundup operations this year. From the cruelty at Antelope to spraying weed-killer at the same time wild horses were run at Robert’s Mountain, we need changes, NOW.

2. ON FILE to Stop Removal of Historic Herd. Although this lawsuit was filed only this month, this article made the number 2 spot on the list. Stone Cabin is important to the public. The permittees trying to force a removal through another lawsuit is something the public won’t stand for. WHE filed our own suit to protect them.

Below: WARNING, Graphic

The most watched video and read article on WHE was the loss of a stallion we called “Sunshine Man.” He was a magnificent palomino and band leader. His death touched the world when his leg snapped during an escape attempt and was pursued and killed. Rest in Peace Sunshine.

Together we prepare to face the challenges in 2024 and bring this fight to preserve and protect our wild ones to a new level through exposure, litigation and long overdue changes to a program that places their welfare last on the “to do list.”

End of year funding is critical to all nonprofits. 

Thank you for keeping us in the fight to protect and preserve our wild ones.

There are many ways to support the work of WHE from direct contribution, stock donations and even while you shop. More HERE.