Above: BLM had a lot of problem with this area of the jute today and numerous horses challenged this spot and broke free. Most pursued and captured.

Our team members have been on the road at roundups since July 1. We have been providing you coverage of the largest summer capture schedule in years. In July alone, more wild horses and burros were captured than in the entire years of 2013, 2014, 2015, etc. (Breakdown of fiscal 2024 roundup schedule HERE).

The tentative fiscal year 2025 schedule will be published sometime in September and begins October 1 (roundups are budgeted on the government fiscal year Oct through September). Many people mistakenly believe roundups end at the end of September and we get a break, they do not.

Active operations

South Steens in Oregon began on 8/16 and BLM is racing to reach the goal. So far about 445 wild horses have been captured in 4 days. The target is 760. If BLM reaches that goal 70 will be returned with mares receiving PZP or PZP-22.

BLM Oregon is the only state that has not updated numbers over the weekend and we can only report tentative totals. 445 captured, 4 deaths. (Steens Reports HERE)

Below: Before wranglers could repair jute from the previous run, the helicopter brought in horses that also challenged the jute, one crashing to the ground. It appears there was little communication with the ground crew. At times it was rather chaotic with escapes and horses running in multiple directions.

White Mountain Wyoming began 8/15. Target 586. In 4 days BLM has captured 436 and 8 have died. 

BLM is conducting the White Mountain roundup under the 2021 Gather EA for Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, Great Divide Basin, White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas (known as the Rock Springs Checkerboard)

This area contains several “high profile” herds where a lot of photographers go. These herds have been part of the “Rock Springs” Land Use Plan Amendment that zeros out part of Adobe Town and the entire Great Divide Basin and Salt Wells Creek. (more HERE)

This area took a blow in the courts this past week as advocates lost their bid and are faced with appeal. (We will not comment on this litigation as it is not ours and it is “bad form” to do so.)

Sulphur Utah began 8/13.

Target for capture at Sulphur is 420. Captured to date: 223, 1 death.

Depending on capture numbers there will be a release of studs and GonaCon treated mares. Sulphur is a genetic treasure trove of ancient lines and it is tragic that this herd was never given special status to be managed as a “Range” where preservation of herd and habitat would qualify as a “principle” use of public lands.

Team report from roundup and more HERE.

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 person from an org reporting on capture.

Scroll down for news on Idaho fires below the action items.

Please join us in demanding that the BLM internal Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) team be disbanded and be replaced with independent auditors of conduct. After the Blue Wing roundup it should (hopefully) be clear that having BLM employees in the same program that have personal relationships doing reviews is not “oversight” it is “whitewash.” Learn More HERE and join us.

Please make a call to help gain funding for the creation ofd a real enforceable welfare policy. 

If you have made the call, make another. Our wild ones desperately need an enforceable welfare policy that is crafted with transparency, public participation and complies with current welfare standards for equines.

The phone number for Congress is: (202) 224-3121. You should put it in your speed dial.

Call the number, tell the operator who your representative is (or where you live if you do not know) and you will be connected to an aide in the office. Ask to register your concerns and request.

Ask that an amendment to the funding bill for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program be crafted to simply create a line item for funding for “Rulemaking to create an enforceable welfare policy.”

The phrase “rulemaking” is vitally important as it is the name of the process that opens a welfare policy to public comment and finalizes with enforceability.

Forward… together we can create real and lasting change.

Last week we reported to you about fires in Idaho.

One fire, the Paddock Fire, burned nearly the entire Four Mile HMA. The 41 wild horses left in the HMA after the roundup in 2021 have been reportedly seen.

April 2024

The Jump fire hit Sands Basin. This area was hit with a large roundup just last year.

Our volunteer went out to check on the area. She saw some fresh poop near one of the water sources, but saw no horses.

Scorched tree left standing in the middle of the devastation

BLM has not replied that “wild horses were seen alive.” Instead, BLM has said that no dead wild horses have been reported.

We know how much our volunteer and followers love these horses and we will continue to update. We send a prayer out that our volunteer sees her beloved horses soon.

WHE has sent an offer to BLM that if they approve an emergency feed drop, we are here to help.

Wildfire is devastating and increasing in the West. Earlier this year we won a lawsuit where BLM failed to evaluate removals of wild horses on fire fuels. (and other issues) and the court sent the Gather-EA back to BLM to do this critical analysis.

The roundup season is running full steam and we need to try to expand our coverage. Many times we are the only organization onsite. We work hard to bring you, the public, daily reports so you know what is happening to your wild ones.

Our documentation has created the largest data base in the world on roundups and the reports are used as we address policy change with lawmakers and in the courts. 

Can you help keep WHE running for the wild? 

Thank you for keeping us on the frontline in the fight to preserve and protect our treasured wild horses and burros.