Federal agency given deadline to explain why deadly Nevada wild horse roundup should continue

A federal judge has requested an explanation from federal land managers about their intentions to continue capturing over 2,500 wild horses in northeastern Nevada. This roundup has faced opposition from critics who argue that it is unlawful and has resulted in the death of 31 mustangs within just 26 days.

The nonprofit organization, Wild Horse Education, is taking legal action against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to obtain a court order temporarily halting the roundup, situated halfway between Reno and Salt Lake City. Among its claims, the organization asserts that the BLM is disregarding its own safety standards, which prohibit roundups in extreme heat and the use of helicopters during the capture of the animals, especially when foals are present.

The agency’s website reports that, as of Saturday, more than 260 foals have been captured alongside 2,643 animals, with several hundred more expected to be gathered before the roundup concludes on August 22.

In response to the horse deaths, including an incident where a horse with a broken leg was chased for 35 minutes before being euthanized, Democratic U.S. Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada has introduced a bill aiming to ban the use of helicopters for assisting wranglers on horseback during mustang roundups. Titus urges the House Natural Resources Committee to expedite a hearing on her proposal.

Despite the request for a temporary restraining order to halt the Nevada roundup on August 1 being declined by U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks in Reno, the agency has been given a deadline until 4 p.m. on Monday to formally address the allegations of mistreatment of the animals. A hearing on Wednesday will allow lawyers on both sides to present more detailed arguments if necessary.

The BLM claims that the current roundup, which began on July 9 between Elko and Ely near the Utah border, is essential due to seriously damaged ranges caused by overpopulated herds. According to the agency, the area holds an estimated 6,852 horses, almost 14 times the ecological capacity. It asserts that roundups typically have a mortality rate of less than 1%.

Critics of the roundups argue that the true purpose of removing the horses is to cater to ranchers who do not want the horses competing with their livestock for limited forage in the arid high desert, where annual precipitation averages less than 10 inches.

Wild Horse Education argues that conducting the current roundup in extreme heat with the use of helicopters, especially during foaling season when foals are present, lacks a legitimate justification. They insist that the BLM has had sufficient time to perform the gather humanely, as required by the law. Without intervention, the plaintiffs fear witnessing further inhumane handling, deaths of wild horses and burros due to the harsh conditions and helicopter usage during this critical time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wild horse roundup.

More about Wild horse roundup.

• “Federal agency given deadline to explain why deadly Nevada wild horse roundup should continue” (Las Vegas Sun): https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/aug/05/federal-agency-given-deadline-to-explain-why-deadly/
• “Wild Horse Education’s Lawsuit Against BLM” (Wild Horse Education): https://wildhorseeducation.org/2023/08/04/lawsuit-filed-against-blm-nevada-roundup/
• “U.S. Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Bill to Outlaw Helicopters in Wild Horse Roundups” (KTNV Las Vegas): https://www.ktnv.com/news/nevada-representative-introduces-bill-to-stop-helicopters-from-chasing-wild-horses
• “BLM’s Court Filing on the Nevada Wild Horse Roundup” (Bureau of Land Management): Link not provided (It may be available on the Bureau of Land Management’s official website or through court records)
• “U.S. District Judge Sets Deadline for BLM to Respond to Allegations” (Reno Gazette Journal): https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2023/08/05/judge-sets-deadline-blm-respond-wild-horse-roundup-nevada/7526865001/
• “Critics Raise Concerns About the Real Purpose of Wild Horse Removals” (The New York Times): Link not provided (It may be available through The New York Times archives or similar news outlets)