The White Mountain HMA is in the Rock Springs Complex managed by the BLM Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming. White Mountain spans about 393,000 acres with 240,000 acres of public (BLM) lands and contains what is called “checkerboard” of public land/private land. (See map above)
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 (agreement with Rock Springs Grazing Association) that zeroes out part of Adobe Town and the entire Great Divide Basin and Salt Wells Creek. (more HERE)
To date 536 (200 Stallions, 237 Mares, and 99 Foals) have been captured of the 586 targeted for permanent removal. If BLM exceeds this goal, there will be a release.
Capture portion of this operation ended August 19 even though it was approved to last through September 15. This summer, every single operation has been rushed to completion. Our team member will report in later today.
BLM says that the removal of 586 will bring the population down to the low end of the Appropriate Management Level of 205-300 (the number BLM claims can be on the range. BLM is basing removal numbers off of population growth estimates of “20%” and not actual pre-gather census numbers (in other words, including foals expected to be born in 2024 on top of a modeled estimated on range population).
Final capture numbers: 586 (219 Stallions, 258 Mares, and 109 Foals)
11 wild horses have died.
Above: As our observer got a chance to get closer to see trap configuration at the end of the day, a mare and foal were seen alone wandering in the vast landscape. It was a stark contrast to what she saw at the Rock Springs facility where the captives have been sent.
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50 (19 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were captured on the last day of White Mountain. We are really worried about this baby, whose little family fought so hard for freedom. Even though they were let go, this tiny one was run hard.
Another foal, a buckskin, lost her life. BLM put her down they said “due to a pre-existing congenital deformity of the rear fetlocks.” She was the 11th death of this operation.
As World Photography Week continues, we want to give a special thanks to volunteer Colette Kaluza that stepped in after the first volunteer cancelled at the last minute, the second had a medical emergency. Thank you Colette for your dedication and stamina.
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Below: After the days operation was over, these two young wild ones were seen on the range. Trapping will continue in this area tomorrow.
100 (39 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 22 Foals) wild horses were captured.
2 foals died: A foal buckskin stallion that BLM said “pre-existing club foot, left front” and a foal sorrel stallion BLM said was put down due to a “pre-existing testicular hernia.”
On August 18 the first run contained multiple family bands and two were focused on. One contained a foal that lagged behind and was eventually brought into the trap. The following 4 videos follow that story. (We have additional video and will load as time allows)
Updates from roundups west wide and fires in Idaho: click HERE
The fiscal year 2024 roundup schedule rundown: click HERE
BLM is failing miserably in oversight of their welfare “policy, standards, memo.” We need to disband BLMs internal oversight team and gain independent welfare assessments. We also need Congress to set aside funding, today, for “Rulemaking” to gain an enforceable welfare policy. After the sham of an assessment at the Blue Wing roundup this summer, please take action. (Learn more and take targeted effective action against abuse, click HERE)
Our team is in the field and in courts. More soon.
Forward to blaze a path for real reform. Not just words and shifting things around to repeat the framework built on nothing but assertion and no real science.
Forward… real reform is long overdue.
We won an amazing victory earlier this year where the courts recognize removal is NOT management. We have three additional cases in the system now. We need your help to keep our teams in the field and expand our litigation.
Thank you for keeping WHE running for the wild.
You can see reports from summer 2024 roundups:
Facility Reports 2024
Categories: Wild Horse Education
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