There were an estimated 73,520 wild horses and burros on BLM-managed public lands as of March 1, compared to 82,883 animals at the same time last year, according to today’s news release.
The number of animals in off-range holding was 64,382 as of January 22.
Between 2020 and 2023, the agency removed about 50,000 wild horses and burros from said lands, compared to 27,000 animals between 2016 and 2019.
Overpopulation means more horses and burros than allowed by plan, not necessarily more horses and burros than the land can support.
AMLs are small relative to the available resources because most of them have been assigned to privately owned livestock—a practice the advocates should be fighting instead of perpetuating.
RELATED: FY24 to See More Horses and Burros Off the Range Than On?
Western Horse Watchers Association 
This is a despicable betrayal of the wild horses and burros of America and of all the many people who appreciate them and know that they are of supreme value to everyone including wild plants and animals, when allowed to fill their long-standing niche.