The incident began on July 17. Gather stats through August 8:
- Target: Horses
- Type: Planned
- Method: Helicopter
- Category: Cruel and costly
- Captured: 867, up from 747 on Day 21
- Average daily take: 37.7
- Capture goal: 1,900
- Removal goal: 1,800
- Returned: None
- Deaths: 17, up from 16 on Day 21
- Shipped: 801, up from 712 on Day 21
The figures above are based on the daily reports.
A mare was put down on Day 23 due to pre-existing conditions.
The death rate is 2.0%.
The capture total includes 305 stallions, 417 mares and 145 foals.
Youngsters represented 16.7% of the animals gathered.
Of the adults, 42.2% were male and 57.8% were female.
The herd can’t be growing at a rate of 20% per year with a birth rate of 17% per year.
A better estimate would be 12% per year, assuming a death rate of 5% per year.
The observed percentages of stallions and mares cannot be attributed to a simple random process centered at 50% males / 50% females.
Abnormal sex ratios are often found in herds subject to the Montana Solution but not double-digit birth rates.
Body condition scores were not given.
The location of the trap was not disclosed.
The Complex and surrounding lands are subject to permitted grazing.
Day 23 ended with 49 unaccounted-for animals.
Mares treated with fertility control may be returned to the area at a later date.
Other statistics:
- Horses allowed by plan (AML): 821
- Forage assigned to horses: 9,852 AUMs per year
- Pre-gather population: 3,475
- Forage liberated to date: 10,404 AUMs per year
- Water liberated to date: 8,670 gallons per day
- Forage assigned to livestock: 49,188 AUMs per year (estimated)
- Horses displaced from Complex by permitted grazing: 4,099
- True AML: 4,911
- Stocking rate at new AML: 3.0 horses per thousand acres
- Horses displaced from Complex by drilling and mining: Ask the advocates
RELATED: Triple B Roundup, Day 21.
Western Horse Watchers Association 