Little Book Cliffs Roundup, Day 5

The incident started on September 11.  Results through September 15:

• Scope: Little Book Cliffs HMA
• Target: Horses
• AML: 150
• Pre-gather population: Unknown (not stated in news release)
• True AML: N/A (no livestock grazing)
• Type: Planned
• Method: Helicopter
• Goals: Gather 130, remove 100
• Captured: 116, up from 26 on Day 3
• Shipped: 38, up from zero on Day 3
• Released: None
• Deaths: None
• Average daily take: 23.2
• Unaccounted-for animals: 78

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

The capture total includes 31 stallions, 66 mares and 19 foals.

Youngsters represented 16.4% of the animals gathered, consistent with a herd growth rate of 11% per year.

Of the adults, 32.0% were male and 68.0% were female, outside the range of variation expected from a random process centered at 50% males / 50% females.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site is not known.

Up to 20 mares will be treated with fertility control pesticides and be returned to the HMA with up to ten stallions.

The Draft EA for management actions in the HMA indicated on page 6 that the herd consisted of 203 horses, including 22 foals, as of September 2023.  Of the 181 adults, 33% were male and 67% were female.

The Final EA states on page 6 that the population in July 2024 was 222, including 29 foals, and that the 193 adults consisted of 42% males and 58% females.

RELATED: Little Book Cliffs Roundup, Day 3.