Despite High Death Toll and Welfare Concerns, CA Wild Horse Roundup Continues

August 1, 2022

The death toll rises to 16 in just 8 days, including several foals

The ongoing wild horse roundup in California has become a focal point of controversy and concern. Since the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began the roundup at the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area on July 23rd, at least 16 federally-protected wild horses have died. This includes several young foals found dead in makeshift holding corrals due to unknown causes, and horses suffering traumatic injuries from helicopter stampedes.

• Several horses, including young foals, have been found dead in the makeshift holding corrals due to unknown causes.
• Horses have died due to traumatic injuries, such as broken necks and legs, resulting from helicopter stampedes.
• A young foal died from being chased while suffering from pneumonia.
• One mare escaped the makeshift corrals only to be later found dead due to a pulmonary hemorrhage, which occurs when pulmonary blood vessels in the lungs rupture during exertion.

This roundup operation has been the subject of controversy since American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign)released footageof stressed wild horses climbing on top of each other in a trap pen too small to safely hold the number of animals corralled within it.

Despite public outcry, the government contractors did not change the size of the pen, which led to the corral gates bursting open, resulting in the death of two wild horses. American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) sent acomplaint to the agencyalleging the contractors violated theBLM’s ComprehensiveAnimal Welfareguidelines during this incident. TheBLMhas yet to respond.

Additionally, American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) roundup observersnotedthe temperatures during the operation reached 99.5 degrees, exceeding theBLM’s temperature guidelines for conducting a roundup.

The captured wild horses are being transported to three short-term holding facilities in California, Idaho, and Nevada. Two of these facilities have beenevaluatedby aBLMComprehensiveAnimal WelfareProgram (CAWP) team. Both showed deficiencies in the facilities related to basicanimal welfare, including access to food, facilities clean of excess manure, and basic facility maintenance, raising concerns for the wellbeing of captured wild horses once they reach these facilities.

The concern for the horse’s welfare doesn’t end once they reach short-term holding. A recently releasedinvestigative reportshines a light on the deadly consequences of theBLM’s cash incentive adoption program. All captured adoptable wild horses and burros are eligible to be adopted through this program.

Photos can be used with proper credit below.

Foals from the Twin Peaks roundup stampeded by helicopter. RJ Stein/American Wild Horse Campaign

Horses drenched in sweat during the helicopter stampede in the Twin Peaks HMA. Nenah Demunster/American Wild Horse Campaign

A captured wild horse looks out of the makeshift corrals in the Twin Peaks HMA. Nenah Demunster/American Wild Horse Campaign