Red Desert Roundup, Day 3

The incident started on October 16.  Results through October 18:

  • FY: 2027
  • Scope: Green Mountain and Stewart Creek HMAs (two of five in Complex)
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 475 (720 for Complex)
  • Pre-gather population: Unknown (2,278 for Complex)
  • Type: Planned
  • Contractor: Sampson
  • Contract amount: $393,488
  • Unit cost: $380
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Sterilize mares with PZP, pray for older horses to die (per advocates)
  • Capture goal: 1,035
  • Removal goal: Unknown
  • Captured: 167, up from 132 on Day 1
  • Shipped: 127, up from zero on Day 1
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 3, up from 1 on Day 1
  • Average daily take: 55.7
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 37
  • 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.

Two horses were dispatched on Day 2 for physical defects.

The death rate is 1.8%.

The capture total includes 57 stallions, 73 mares and 37 foals.

Youngsters represented 22.2% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 43.8% were male and 56.2% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

An unspecified number of mares will be treated with fertility control and returned to the range, prolonging the genetic bottleneck created by the roundup.

The Complex is subject to permitted grazing.  Resources liberated to date:

  • Forage: 2,004 AUMs per year
  • Water: 1,670 gallons per day

Public lands within two miles of active trapping locations and temporary holding pens are closed to the public, with the exception of observers escorted by BLM staff.

PREVIOUS: Red Desert Roundup Begins.

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