Thanks to the documentary efforts of wild horse advocate and videographer Elyse Gardner, we now have graphic evidence of the lengths to which the BLM and its hired helicopter contractor will go to intimidate and capture fear-stricken wild horses.
In just-released footage from the recently concluded Twin Peaks roundup in California, a 16-month-old colt is shown being literally pushed by the skids of the contractor's helicopter, even though he was already within the confines of the trapsite's fenced corridor, and moving steadily toward the corrals where he would forever lose his freedom.
A total of 1639 wild horses and 160 burros were forcibly removed from the 798,000-acre Twin Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA), which spans the borders of California and Nevada. In her compelling nine-minute video, filmed on September 16th, 2010, Ms. Gardner movingly tells the story of just one of them, a young horse whose terrified silence is pierced by the menacing whir of the helicopter blades, and in the background, the sobs of the woman who bravely bears witness to the cruelty being wreaked down upon him.
In her Humane Observer post today, entitled "Inhumane Practices Documented by BLM," Ms. Gardner writes passionately about the contractor's oppressive treatment of this colt, whom she calls, "Banner," because he is, in a way, the poster child for what is wrong with the BLM's seemingly relentless campaign to chase and capture and warehouse wild horses in a way that lacks compassion or conscience:
"The use of the helicopter in this manner is wrong. The most chilling part of this may be the fact that the BLM and the contractors don't even recognize the wrongness of it. Their ability to have compassion has shriveled.
If this is what the public is seeing, what kinds of atrocities are happening about which we never learn? Does this not qualify as criminally abusive to animals? Doing something wrong for years will never make it right. It is definitely time for a mounted video camera with timestamps.
My hope with Banner is that as his story is shown, Banner will represent a pivotal turning point, be a "banner" horse, a portent for what is to come, a recognition and incentive for BLM to examine its ways and change, OR to have its wrist thoroughly slapped and for the President to recognize the need for change in his Department of the Interior, and Congressional and Senatorial representatives to look at this and demand some boundaries to protect these innocents from the inherent violence of a roundup to every extent possible.
These amazing animals so beautifully equipped to live in the most sparse, rigorous landscapes of the high desert, have no means to protect themselves from the likes of flying glass monsters used like a whip. This is wrong, and it needs to stop. I have all but given up hope that the Bureau of Land Management will police itself or its agents. All they consistently appear to do is try to marginalize the suffering of the horses and burros, and I am so sick of it I cannot tell you. But many of you are sick of it, too, and I don't need to tell you."
The ferocious beat of the helicopter blades may have quieted at Twin Peaks, but it continues today with a vengeance in several other venues, including Wyoming's Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek HMAs, where almost 900 horses have already been taken from their pristine 2.5 million-acre range. Another 1100 will meet the same fate before the roundup shuts down next month.
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Recent Equine Advocacy articles about wild horse roundups:
Tragic death of the wild horse stallion Braveheart epitomizes the gruesome cruelty of BLM roundups
Silver King wild horse roundup claims its first victims
Aerial survey indicates that Twin Peaks wild horse population has been decimated
Comments
If only, if only , if only...............................
Thank you Maureen for highlighting Elyse's video and the story of "Banner", the terrified and exhausted colt literally tortured by the contractor's helicopter!. This was barbaric, cruel and unlawful. As much as it hurts to watch it, the story needs to be told, far and wide, to help end the atrocities inflicted upon our treasured mustangs! Certainly there must be humanity on board within our government, that will finally put and end to the mismanagement by BLM, and the inhumane practices that wild horses are suffering. I keep thinking this is it, this will be the turning point!
Well written report maureen. Many thanks to you and Elyse, and all who are making the truths known by observing, documenting and educating the public!. Your works will help to change the course of history, and reverse the shame of America. It can be no other way!
Thank you also, for using my still image from Twin Peaks roundup. Every picture tells a story. Thank God for The Constitution, and Federal Judge Hicks orders to BLM to honor the first amendment rights!
I'm to the point I can't take much more of the BLM's BS. I'm to the point where I want to shoot these helicopters out of the air. All the phone calls, postcards, letters, petitions, etc. are not helping - our elected officials are not listening. Responses from the BLM and/or the DOI lead you to their website and nowhere else. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus are the only two that have stood up for our horses and their not being heard either. I'm at wits end as to how "we the people" can save our wild horses. I truly believe that the DOI, BLM and Forest Service are out to decimate ALL OF AMERICA'S ICONS OF THE WEST - wild horses, wolves and Yellowstone bison and sadly they are getting away with it.
Reminds me of the Bruce Cockburn song:
"Here come's the helicopter,
Second time today...
If I had a rocket launcher,
Some Son of a bitch would die
Thank you for the article and to all the people who endure the endless BLM whining and foot stomping as they try to keep the public out. There is other footage from a couple of years back showing the same damn thing that BLM themselves use to "promote wild horse gathers". How dare they harrasses and abuse wild horses in this way. I hope everyon makes sure their congress people see the footage, there is so so much of it. The program needs to be removed from BLM and the "gather contract" removed from these iddiots. Keep up the good work. Your many fans love your fair and intelligent reporting.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!