| The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released its proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 roundup and removal schedule.
This proposed plan calls for the roundup of over 11,000 wild horses and burros, permanently removing over 10,000 from their homes and placing them in overburdened federal holding facilities.
Currently, there are already over 62,000 wild horses and burros held in federal holding, while the BLM estimates that there are approximately 73,520 horses and burros left on public lands in the West. That means the BLM’s FY25 proposed roundup schedule could potentially result in more wild horses and burros being kept in federal holding facilities than there are in the wild.
To make matters worse, the agency is planning to continue the use of helicopters for the majority of these roundups – operations that often cause severe injuries, and can even result in the deaths of these iconic animals. That’s why American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is planning to send observers into the field to document every roundup possible to hold the BLM accountable for its actions and to educate the public on what’s happening to our wild horses and burros.
Our observation efforts are critical to shining a light on the true reality that wild horses and burros face at the hands of the BLM. The evidence they collect helps us establish an irrefutable pattern of cruelty to prove to members of Congress, the media, and the public that change is desperately needed.
The photos and video footage our observers have captured at BLM roundups have helped secure international and national media attention on this issue and are leading to direct action on Capitol Hill to reform this broken system, including allocating funds to humane in-the-wild conservation in the FY24 spending bill. But with more horses and burros in danger of roundups next year, it’s critical that we continue this program so we can ensure we keep up the pressure. Can you help power our Observation Fund so we can keep fighting for wild horses and burros in FY25?
Look, we know this news may be hard to hear, but we can’t let this discourage us. This issue is a marathon, not a sprint. It took two decades for Wild Horse Annie to ensure the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The work we do every day is paving the way for the change these majestic animals desperately need.
Our wild herds are counting on us to continue the fight, which is why we mustn’t stop advocating for them. Together, we can and will achieve a future where wild horses and burros are safe from government mismanagement once and for all.
Onward,
American Wild Horse Conservation |
