Barren Valley Roundup, Day 5

The incident started on September 4. Results through September 8:

Scope: Sheepshead/Heath Creek HMA
Target: Horses
AML: 302
Pre-gather population: 1,200
Type: Emergency
Contractor: Cattoor
Contract amount: $269,383
Unit cost: $540
Method: Helicopter
Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
Better way: Sterilize the mares with PZP (according to advocates)
Capture goal: 499
Removal goal: 499
Captured: 183, up from 170 on Day 4
Shipped: 166, up from 97 on Day 4
Released: None
Deaths: 2, up from 1 on Day 4
Average daily take: 36.6
Unaccounted-for animals: 15
Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports, which were not published until September 8.

A mare was dispatched on Day 5 for a prolapsed vagina.

The death rate is 1.1%.

The capture total includes 64 stallions, 79 mares and 40 foals.

Youngsters represented 21.9% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 44.8% were male and 55.2% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing. Removal of wild horses may not liberate any food or water for livestock due to wildfire and drought.

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