Our team member remains at Devil’s Garden in Modoc County, California, and has been the only member of the public onsite for observation.

Over two days at a new trap at Big Sage, only 12 horses were captured: 10 and 2. This continues the trend that is alarmingly low compared to prior operations presenting more information to support the fact that every wild horse is being squeezed out of the garden. Of the 12 captured, only 1 was a foal (an older foal closer to an early spring baby, at least 6 months old). The assertion of a 15% or 20% (depending on which pre-roundup estimate from USFS you use) is not bearing out. The actual rate of foals coming in sits between 7-8%.

This trap uses barbed wire as a “wing” and the burlap wing connects and continues into trap. There is also a lot of barbed wire fencing in the area. None of it is appropriately flagged in any way. The way a horses eyes work is something contractors and land management agencies fail to recognize.

Our welfare team member mentioned she was “uncomfortable” and the area was likely to have an incident. Something did happen over there but the view was blocked.

Tomorrow afternoon is the Preliminary Injunction hearing. We are fighting to stop this roundup that targets 350 wild horses and to get the captives returned. You can learn more about why we are making a stand for Devil’s Garden here.

After the hearing we will do a “live” video for Patreon subscribers and will update our website.

We are working with our partner on jumping our legal action up the court system for Carter/Buckhorn/Coppersmith managed by BLM California. We are taking our fight to protect these distinct herds from being set on a the genetic slide to destruction as BLM intends on pushing Carter down to only 30 wild horses.

We are also filing briefs for the Antelope Complex, Triple B Complex this week and filed an appeal for the Blue Wing Complex (all in Nevada). Over thew last week we also got on file in an extremely complex case for the Tassi-Gold burros in Arizona.

The roundup schedule for the new fiscal year that begins October 1 has not been published. We will let you know as soon as we do. We are waiting to see the outcome of the debates for Appropriations. Members of our team are busy doing outreach to attempt to gain some ground and not simply maintain the status quo. Clarifying management planning to include transparency and protections and formalization of a welfare policy are on our list.

The fight goes on. WHE won’t back down.

We need your support to continue the fight at Devil’s Garden and to make a stand for all of our herds that are being pushed toward disappearing forever. 

All of our work is only possible because of your support. 

Thank you for keeping WHE running for our wild ones!