SIGN ON: Demand transparency at federal wild horse and burro roundups

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Right now, thousands of wild horses in Nevada are being chased by helicopters in the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) ongoing roundup in the East Pershing Complex.

In the two weeks since the roundup began, the death toll has already reached double digits – including a young foal who was euthanized for an injury he suffered while being roped by BLM wranglers.

Tragedies like this are all too common during these inhumane removals. But had it not been for our AWHC humane observer who was on site to bear witness and document this heartbreaking story, it’s possible the full cruelty this foal faced would never have been brought to the public’s attention.

That’s why we’re renewing our calls for the BLM to place cameras on all helicopters and wranglers to ensure the public is fully aware of what the government is doing to these innocent animals. We’re also urging them to make those recordings publicly available to allow for increased transparency and accountability. Will you join us in making these demands by sending a letter to the BLM today?

The East Pershing Complex is just the first of many wild horse and burro helicopter roundups this year. The BLM has begun its plan to remove up to 1,000 burros from the Black Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) in Arizona – the largest wild burro roundup of 2024.

These operations are often very traumatic for burros, and this herd has been particularly mistreated in past roundups. In fact, the BLM’s own Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) review of the 2022 Black Mountain roundup showed violations such as hitting wild horses and burros in an abusive manner, and even the use of an electric cattle prod on the captured animals.

We’re fighting to end this inhumane treatment of our wild herds, but until we can bring about the lasting change these innocent animals need, we need to ensure accountability and transparency within our federal government and its operations.

Installing cameras on all wranglers and helicopters used during BLM roundups will ensure that the agency can’t hide any mistreatment of wild horses and burros from the public. Please use your voice and join us in calling for cameras to be placed on all BLM helicopters and wranglers! It will only take thirty seconds of your time!

Thank you,

Team AWHC