The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved a plan to address what it calls a “significant wild horse overpopulation” within the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas (HMA). The HMAs are collectively known as the Red Desert Complex HMA in south-central Wyoming, spanning more than 752,000 acres.
Infrared aerial surveys of the Red Desert Complex estimate that wild horse numbers far exceed the appropriate management level (AML) of 480-720 horses. As such, the agency plans to gather and remove about 1,800 horses.
BLM said the plan aligns management actions to alleviate horses suffering from overpopulation, which leads to overgrazing and a lack of water, and protect rangeland health.
“When wild horse herds exceed the appropriate management levels, forage and water become scarce, leading animals to move outside of herd management area boundaries that cause safety risks and damage to private property,” BLM said in an Aug. 11 news release.
“Overpopulation also increases the likelihood of horses experiencing starvation, thirst or injuries as they search for limited resources,” the agency continued. “This pattern results in habitat degradation, reduced forage availability for other wildlife and long-term resource damage.”
BLM will use a combination of incremental gathers and ongoing fertility control treatments to maintain the AML. Gathers are expected to begin this fall. During gathers, BLM staff plan to treat around 75-150 mares with fertility control before releasing them back to the HMA.
Once horses are gathered, they will receive veterinary attention before being prepared for BLM’s adoption program or long-term contracted pastures.
The Red Desert Herd Management Area Plan and Gather strategy was published for public scoping in April and public review in June. A total of 657 comments were received during the public review process, BLM said.
The decision may be appealed within 30 days of the plan’s release. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
