Previous roundup at Sulphur
On August 13, BLM began a removal operation at the Sulphur Herd Management Area (HMA) in Utah.
The HMA contains 230,157 acres of BLM lands and 35,554 acres of Federal, State-, and privately-owned land for a total of 265,711 acres. BLM says that the estimate 606 wild horses currently occupy the area. They say only 165 to 250 wild horses can be “sustained” in the HMA.
BLM plans to capture 420 and administer a vaguely stated “fertility control” and release an undetermined number after the roundup. (GonaCon, a log lasting hormonal agent, 4-10 years, is listed as the substance of choice in additional documents.) Driving populations down this low and using GonaCon, now places Sulphur on the list of genetic fragility and a very uncertain future.
Sulphur is one of the most unique herds in the entire country. The naturally occurring population exhibits ancient and historic genetic markers.
Even BLM recognizes the uniqueness of this herd: “In the mountain peaks and sloping lowlands of western Utah roams a nationally recognized population of wild horses with a Utah heritage much older than most of ours. Many of these horses draw their bloodlines from the old Spanish Type, the Colonial Spanish Horse, the first horses brought to America by the Spanish Explorers in the 1500s. Through time, the Sulphur Herd has bred with escaped ranch livestock, but some still hold many of the Colonial Spanish Horse traits. These traits include colors that are dun and grulla, a gray or mouse color. Their ears can curve in like a bird’s beak, with fawn-colored insides rimmed in black. They may have a dorsal stripe down their back, bi-colored manes and tails, and striped legs. Some may even have some facial cob webbing or a mask on their face. The horses have a short back, because they may have only five lumbar vertebrae instead of six. There are only a few other herds of wild horses in the United States which may exhibit these same characteristics.”
Even though Sulphur is one of the most unique herd in the West, it has not been enough to gain them special designation as a “Wild Horse Range.” A designation of “Range” would limit industrial impacts (mining. livestock) on resources the horses need to survive with management practices shifting to the HMA being “managed principally” for wild horse use on the landscape.
An updated Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) should analyze designating this area as a “Range” as more than two of the criteria are present. Water improvement should also be created in the HMAP update to deal with changes to the environment. The HMAP for Sulphur was created in 1987 and never updated in nearly 40 years as the range has changed due to recreation, livestock, climate change and drought. An HMAP update is long overdue.
Cumulative totals
Captured: 422 Wild Horses (139 Stallions, 196 Mares, and 87 Foals)
Shipped: 391 Wild Horses (130 Stallions, 183 Mares, and 78 Foals) to the off-limits to the public facility in Axtell Utah
Deaths: 6, 8-year old mare in catch pen tried to jump panels as other horses were driven down an alley to load. The mare tried jumping the panel, fracturing her neck. 18-year-old stallion BLM said had an old fracture on the right front knee preventing movement. No prognosis of recovery. 12-year-old stallion BLM said had an old fracture on the right front ankle preventing movement. No prognosis of recovery. Foal put down for club foot. A foal colt BLM said “had a preexisting fracture on left front humerus, causing limited movement.” A stallion BLM said “had a preexisting fracture around left front knee, causing limited movement.”
This is the same contractor that did the outrageous Blue Wing roundup in NV. Please join us in demanding that the BLM Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) Team be disbanded and replaced with independent oversight. If you compare Blue Wing to Sulphur, you can see how whomever BLM places in charge makes a difference.
We are tired of BLM self-policing that clearly does not work. The BLM in charge has far too much “discretion” in how they run a roundup. It needs to end. More HERE.
082324: 31 (9 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 9 Foals). 2 deaths: A foal colt BLM said “had a preexisting fracture on left front humerus, causing limited movement.” A stallion BLM said “had a preexisting fracture around left front knee, causing limited movement.”
082224: 21 (8 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 4 Foals) 1 death: A foal was put down for club foot.
082124: 6 (3 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 2 Foals)
081924: 22 (5 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 7 Foals) captured
081824: 35 (13 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 7 Foals) captured
081724
20 (6 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 6 Foals) wild horses were captured.
Weather changed quickly and the helicopter continued to drive (although our observer could not see nor hear) and we saw one of the same horses that escaped yesterday, escape again.
Although this time obviously lame for the constant pursuit at this same trap. When BLM allows multiple days at one trap location, horses are not simply running into the trap… the horses in the area are disturbed and running each day. BLM needs to set a limit on how many days in a row capture operations can take place (particularly in summer months when the helicopter interferes with movement to water).
Our team member was, once again, the only public observer reporting on capture.
Above: It is always hard to watch them grazing peacefully and then targeted in the first run of the day.
081624
48 (11 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 7 Foals) wild horses were captured on a very windy day. Our observer met BLM before dawn and operations ended at 2:30. We remain the only org onsite.
One run saw two adults break off and then a foal appear to stop and look for mom. The foal was roped and the two adults went in different directions.
The horses coming in continue to be in good shape and simply stunningly beautiful. They are being shipped to the off-limits to the public facility on Axtell Utah.
081524
26 (10 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 6 Foals) wild horses captured at new trap location. We are the only organization onsite.
It was often hard to tell which horses went into trap and if any escaped due to placement (could not see the actual trap) and distance.
Below: But after this run, we could see that this beautiful horse came through the gap to the other side of barbed wire and ran.
Trapping resumes in the morning.
081424
As there was no clear view at trap, our observer went to watch loading. 38 (25 Stallions, 13 Mares) were shipped to the “off-limits” facility at Axtel. We can see the gap between the chute and semi, an ongoing issue with the contractor and set-up. (Surprise)
The wild horses were in good body condition. Foals that came in where of various ages ranging about 3 months to a week. Offloading was orderly. 40 (22 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 17 Foals) were captured.
Reminder: The holding facility is on private property. We are documenting from distance and catching shots between stacks of hay, vehicles and other equipment.
We have said this before, but it is a good reminder, BLM allows the contractor to “sub contract” a place to put holding. Often a permittee in the area is “sub contracted” to serve as temporary holding.
Below: Screengrabs from video. Each evening our team members in the field send clips to our team lead. Our team lead edits video and takes “screengrabs” so you can see better.
081324
Day 1 provided little access to view capture and handling. If you watch the video until the end, you will recognize the distinct (flapping in the wind) tarps used by this contractor. This is the same contractor that just completed the Blue Wing roundup in NV.
Our representative was allowed to tour trap after the horses were sent to temporary holding. Trap revealed a narrow catch pen that appeared to be secured with rebar. We are the only organization onsite.
An 8-year old mare died today. We were told she was still in the catch pen and tried to jump panels as other horses were driven down the alley to sort off any foals and load. She broke her neck.
89 (25 Stallions, 46 Mares, and 18 Foals) wild horses were captured on a very long first day. Meeting was at 4:30 a.m. (MT) and ended around 2:30 p.m. (MT). Temperatures rose to around 89 degrees in the area as the day ended.
Thank you for keep our team running for the wild in the field and in the courts.
