BLM Completes Horse Gather at Seaman Herd

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has successfully completed an emergency wild horse gather in the Seaman Herd area, located about 100 miles south of Ely. This operation, initiated in late July, was crucial due to severe water shortages affecting the horses. The gathered horses are now being prepared for adoption, with those not adopted being placed in long-term pastures to maintain their wild status.

Emergency Gather Details

TheBLMhad been monitoring the Seaman Herd area since mid-June. The decision to conduct the emergency gather was made after careful observation of the animals' conditions, with input from an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service veterinarian.

The horses were transported to the Delta Wild Horse and Burro facility in Delta, Utah. Here, they will be prepped for theBLM’s adoption program. TheBLMensures that no wild horses are sent or sold for slaughter.

Success and Future Monitoring

Overall, the gather was deemed successful. Noyes noted that fewer horses than expected were in critical condition, thanks to pre-gather water supplementation.

The Seaman Herd Area is not expected to be the last site for horse gathers this summer or fall. TheBLMis also monitoring several other areas for potential emergency gathers.

Unpredictable weather in the region makes continuous monitoring essential, as conditions can change rapidly.

Challenges with Long-Term Holding

While monitoring continues, theBLMfaces a significant challenge: a shortage of long-term holding facility space. This issue could hinder future gathers.

Deputy State Director for Natural Resources, Lands and Planning Raul Mora highlighted this issue, noting that theBLMcould reach capacity in its long-term facilities by 2014. State Director Amy Lueders emphasized the need for multiple strategies, includingfertility controland eco-sanctuaries, to address these challenges.

As theBLMseeks solutions, the impact of limited space is already being felt.

Originally Posted By Ely Times