This July, federal helicopters will once again descend on our wild herds
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Right now, federal helicopters are grounded for wild horse foaling season. This is a critical time when new babies are born and bond with their mothers and the rest of their families.
But starting in July, the federal government is set to resume the inhumane roundup and removal of thousands of wild horses and burros across the West.
Photo by Brian Clopp
This summer, a staggering 11,114 of these iconic animals will be targeted for capture, and 10,646 will be permanently removed. To make matters worse, all of the scheduled roundups this summer will be conducted using helicopters.
These cruel roundups often leave wild horses and burros traumatized. Young foals are separated from their mothers, horses and burros are often run to exhaustion, injuries are commonplace, and sometimes lives are tragically lost.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducts these operations in some of the most remote corners of the West, away from the public eye. That’s why AWHC has assembled and trained a team of photographers and videographers who deploy to these locations and serve as our boots on the ground, ensuring transparency and accountability during roundups.
| FUEL OUR OBSERVATION FUND |
The first roundup after the foaling season will take place at North Lander in Wyoming, where 2,806 wild horses are targeted for capture, and 2,766 will be permanently removed. This will be one of the largest roundups of the fiscal year.
It’s vital that our roundup observers are present at this operation and the many more that will follow so that we can tell the stories of our beloved wild horses and burros and fuel change. Take, for example, this inspiring excerpt from a report by our observer at the 2022 South Steens roundup:
|
“The bay mare was determined to save the life of her foal and she charged under the chopper as the pair raced back up the outside of the trap wings with the chopper hot on their heels. They raced into the wings and we thought that they were done. But the desperate mare raced on towards the ridgeline, her foal like a shadow at her side. As the chopper came close to them they finally seemed as if it wasn’t bothering them anymore, they had freedom in their sights and finally the chopper relented, giving up on the pair, and they disappeared over the ridge.” |
These stories of strength, resilience, and pure horsepower are what motivate us to continue to fight for real change through innovative in-the-wild conservation initiatives. Additionally, they give us the evidence we need to educate the public and Congress on the cruel realities of wild horse and burro roundups. So, will you chip in today to support our Observation Fund and help us continue telling the stories of our beloved wild herds?
| CHIP IN TODAY |
Thank you,
American Wild Horse Conservation