Fighting the tough fights to protect our wild herds

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

One of the most powerful ways we fight to protect wild horses and burros is through the courts. Litigation is often the last line of defense against threats to their freedom, safety, and habitats.

Whether it’s blocking dangerous government policies or standing up to groups trying to remove wild horses from public lands, our legal efforts are essential to keeping these iconic animals wild and free. One recent victory we’re especially proud of is our work to defend the Salt River wild horses in Arizona.

Over the last two years, alongside our partners at the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, we’ve faced off against the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in federal court. CBD has repeatedly filed lawsuits aimed at removing this cherished herd from the Tonto National Forest, based on their erroneous belief that wild horses are an “invasive species.” In its most recent legal maneuver, the organization alleged that the horses’ population could harm three endangered bird species, despite clear evidence that AWHC provided to the Court, which shows the Salt River herd’s habitat is located miles away from critical areas for these species.

Thanks to the dedication of our legal team and our partners at the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, the federal court rejected CBD’s claims and upheld its dismissal of its baseless lawsuit!

This victory was made possible by AWHC supporters like you. Here’s how your contributions helped us achieve this win:

• Expert Legal Advocacy: Our legal team, led by Randall Weiner, filed a critical friend-of-the-court brief to expose the flaws in CBD’s claims.
• Scientific Evidence: AWHC’s Utah Conservation Manager, Tandin Chapman, provided detailed mapping work to prove the Salt River horses are not impacting endangered species’ habitats.
• Partnership in Action: We worked closely with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to ensure these cherished horses remain safe and free.

This victory wasn’t just about one herd — it was a win for all wild horses and burros. It demonstrated the importance of using facts, science, and the law to protect our beloved herds from unfounded attacks. But this was just one of many fights to come.

Every year, we face new legal battles to protect wild horses and burros from roundups, removals, and policies that threaten their very existence. These efforts require significant resources, and that’s where you come in.

Right now, thanks to a generous donor, we have a $100,000 match opportunity for our end-of-year fundraising campaign — but we need to raise an initial $30,000 to unlock this incredible match, and we’re just halfway there.

Can you chip in to help us take advantage of this 2X matching opportunity and ensure we reach our $200,000 end-of-year goal? Your gift could go twice as far to support our legal work, advocacy efforts, and field programs in 2025. 

Thank you,

Team AWHC