BLM Rejects Euthanasia for Unadopted Wild Horses

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Neil Kornzeassured a congressional panel that the agency will not euthanize wild horses it cannot sell or adopt, despite recommendations from an advisory board. Instead,BLMis committed to exploring humane alternatives such as fertility control and improved adoption programs.

During a session with the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, Kornze expressed surprise at the advisory board's suggestion to euthanize unadopted horses. He emphasizedBLM's dedication to finding solutions that do not involve euthanasia, highlighting the agency's efforts to manage the nearly 70,000 wild horses and burros exceeding sustainable numbers on federal rangelands.

BLM's Commitment to Humane Management

The Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 mandatesBLMto manage excess populations to protect native wildlife and rangeland resources. Kornze outlined the agency's challenges, including budget constraints and the need for more effective management tools.

He noted the financial burden of caring for approximately 50,000 horses in holding facilities, stressing the importance of collaboration with states and committees to enhance research and adoption efforts.

Controversy Over Fertility Control Research

The discussion also touched onBLM's decision to cancel a research project with Oregon State University, which aimed to test surgical sterilization methods for wild mares. This decision followed federal lawsuits from advocacy groups concerned about the humane treatment of the horses.

Kornze indicated that litigation was a significant factor in the cancellation but reaffirmedBLM's commitment to pursuing long-termfertility controlsolutions.

Congressional Reactions

Reps. Cynthia Lummis and Jared Polis questioned Kornze on the agency's strategies, with Polis condemning the proposal to sell or slaughter wild horses. Kornze agreed, reiteratingBLM's focus on humane management practices.

Despite the challenges, Kornze assured thatBLMwould continue to seek humane and effective methods to manage wild horse populations, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and collaboration.