The incident began on July 17. Gather stats through August 23:
- Target: Horses
- Type: Planned
- Method: Helicopter
- Category: Cruel and costly
- Captured: 1,854, up from 1,585 on Day 36
- Average daily take: 48.8
- Capture goal: 1,900
- Removal goal: 1,800
- Returned: None
- Deaths: 23, no change from Day 36
- Shipped: 1,616, up from 1,495 on Day 36
The figures above are based on the daily reports, not the totals posted by the BLM.
The death rate is 1.2%.
The capture total includes 638 stallions, 891 mares and 325 foals.
Youngsters represented 17.5% of the animals gathered.
Of the adults, 41.7% were male and 58.3% were female.
The herd can’t be growing at a rate of 20% per year with a birth rate of 18% per year.
A better estimate would be 13% 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 provided.
The location of the trap was not disclosed.
The Complex and surrounding lands are subject to permitted grazing.
Day 38 ended with 215 unaccounted-for animals.
The capture goal is 98% complete. Operations will probably conclude this week.
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: 22,248 AUMs per year
- Water liberated to date: 18,540 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 36.
Western Horse Watchers Association 