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a family of wild horses in their natural environment photo by carrol abel
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a new approach to managing the nations wild horses and burros Wednesday. In a letter sent to members of the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee, Secretary Salazar states," As wild horses have no natural predators, the herds have grown substantially. The total wild horse and burro population is now approximately 69,000. This number includes approximately 37,000 currently roaming the public land, and approximately 32,000 held in expensive short term corrals and long term pastures." He also states, "...arid western lands and watersheds cannot support a population this large without significant damage to the environment."
The new plan would move 25,000 horses now in BLM holding facilities to sanctuaries in the east and midwest at a cost of $92 million. These will be non producing herds. Salazar did not clarify if that number included the cost of sterilizing 25,000 animals. Those horses currently remaining free on public lands are to be managed with an aggressive birth control program coupled with selective removals to limit the number of mares in the wild. Herds of gelded males will also be transitioned into some herd management areas.
Various news agencies presented quotes from House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall as being in full suppport of Secretary Salazar's plan. That remains to be seen. The press release headline published on the Resource Committee website states simply "Rahall, Grijalva Welcome Interior's Renewed Attention to Wild Horse and Burro Program."
The term "managing for extinction" has been used in wild horse advocate circles for some time. Many fear the new plan will damage the nation's herds to a point of no return.
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