Be the Eyes on the Ground for America’s Wild Horses
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Thanks to a generous $100,000 matching gift, we have the incredible opportunity to double your impact through December 31. Our goal is to raise $200,000 by midnight on December 31, and we need your help to make it happen.
As the year draws to a close, our commitment to holding the federal government accountable for the devastating impacts of helicopter roundups on our wild herds has never been stronger. With your support, we’ve made significant strides in exposing the reality of these inhumane practices.
But as long as these cruel, costly roundups continue, our work is far from over — and we need your help before the clock runs out in 2024. Will you chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to fuel our Observation Fund for the new year?
| FUEL OUR OBSERVATION FUND → |
‘©Photo of helicopter roundup in action by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy
Thanks to our Observation Fund, AWHC representatives are on-site at nearly every Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helicopter roundup. Their presence is vital, shining a light on the harsh realities of these inhumane operations.
For example, this summer in Blue Wing, Nevada, our observers bore witness to the deadliest roundup of the year, where a staggering 42 wild horses lost their lives in just a few weeks. The critical importance of public observation became undeniable during this roundup when a documenter captured horrific footage of a government contractor repeatedly kicking and punching an exhausted wild horse in the head.
Scott Wilson, who documents wild horse roundups on behalf of AWHC, had this to say about the importance of public observation:
“Without difficult video captures such as these, abusive roundup actions would not be brought to light. The video raises the alarming question: Has the BLM lost sight of its protection mandate while losing control of its operation?”
— Scott Wilson, AWHC Photo Journalist
AWHC’s documentation of the shocking abuse at Blue Wing sparked outrage among wild horse advocates and struck a gruesome chord with the public through extensive coverage by national and local media outlets.
As you can see, these observations are vital to holding the BLM accountable for its inhumane practices and shedding light on the urgent need for change.
| FUEL OUR OBSERVATION FUND → |
Without the powerful photos and videos captured by our observers, the public would be kept in the dark about the cruelty unfolding during these roundups. Many times, AWHC is the only organization present on the ground, documenting egregious animal welfare violations. This evidence is more than just eye-opening – it’s a catalyst for real change, fueling bipartisan support in Congress for humane fertility control programs and sparking calls for alternatives to helicopter roundups.
But this work is not easy.
Our team braves harsh conditions, traveling to remote and rugged areas, often in unforgiving weather, to capture the footage needed to expose the truth. It’s an emotionally and physically demanding job that requires resources for travel, equipment, and lodging.
With a huge number of horses and burros slated for roundup and removal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, your support is more important than ever. Your donation enables us to keep our observers in the field, hold the BLM accountable, and advocate for a future where wild horses and burros are treated with the respect they deserve.
| FUEL OUR OBSERVATION FUND → |
Thank you for standing with us and the wild herds we are working so hard to protect. We couldn’t do it without your support.
With gratitude,
The AWHC Team