As we step into the new year, we are reminded of the resilience of both our wild horses and the communities who stand by them. In this edition of e-news, we’re sharing critical resources for those impacted by the Los Angeles fires, updates from the field on recent roundups, and highlights from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Advisory Board meeting where AWHC advocated for humane management. Plus, dive into an in-depth exploration of wild horses’ legacy in North America.
Thank you for standing with us in our mission to protect these iconic animals.
Our hearts go out to all the people and animals impacted by the devastating fires in Los Angeles, including members of our cherished AWHC community—supporters, ambassadors, volunteers, and their families. To everyone affected, we stand with you during this incredibly difficult time and are here to offer support however we can. We are sharing resources to help those in need.
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Fiscal Year 2025 roundups have begun. The Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) bait trap roundup is underway with the goal of capturing 16 wild horses. In Nevada, the Fish Creek HMA helicopter roundup began on January 6, 2025, and ended on January 9. Over the course of four days, 194 animals were removed from their home. AWHC was on the ground documenting this operation.
The BLM Advisory Board held a meeting in Sacramento, California, on January 7–9, 2025. During this meeting, team AWHC spoke in person and virtually about the importance of humane in-the-wild management of the West’s herds, the need for transparency during helicopter roundups, the pitfalls of the Adoption Incentive Program, and the critical role wild burros play in their ecosystems. The Board released its recommendations urging the BLM and United States Forest Service to expand fertility control programs across all federal wild horse herds.
