Public-Private Partnership Continues to Benefit McCullough Peaks Wild Horses

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Friends of a Legacy (FOAL) have forged a successful partnership that continues to benefit the McCullough Peaks wild horses and the surrounding rangelands. This collaboration has led to effective management practices, includingfertility controland habitat enhancement, ensuring the health and sustainability of the wild horse population.

Partnership Success in McCullough Peaks

TheBLMannounced today that its ongoing partnership with FOAL has resulted in healthy wild horses and rangelands in 2018. TheBLMadministered a field darting program involving 62 mares within the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA). FOAL played a crucial role by purchasing thefertility controland assisting theBLMwith the program. Additionally, FOAL contributed $8,500 to clean and refurbish three reservoirs within the HMA, providing essential water resources for wild horses, cattle, pronghorn, deer, and other wildlife.

Long-standing Collaboration

TheBLMCody Field Office has collaborated with FOAL since the non-profit's inception in 2005. Together, they manage the herd effectively, coordinate public education opportunities, and enhance the habitat for all creatures living within the McCullough Peaks HMA.

Fertility Control Program

Since 2011, annual field darting with thefertility controlvaccine porcine zona pellucida (PZP) has been implemented in the McCullough Peaks herd, successfully reducing horse birth rates. “TheBLM’s partnership with FOAL is vital to sustainably managing the McCullough Peaks herd, as well as maintaining healthy, productive public rangelands for wildlife and livestock that share the herd management area,” saidBLMCody Field Manager Cade Powell.

To date, FOAL has contributed over $45,000 inPZPand the necessary darting supplies. TheBLMand FOAL dart 50–80 mares annually, resulting in an average birth rate of only 9 foals each year since 2011, compared to an average of 30 foals born in previous years.

Additional Contributions

Thefertility controlprogram, along with occasional bait trap removals and adoptions, has enabled theBLMto maintain the wild horse population near its appropriate management level while improving rangeland health conditions. FOAL also makes substantial annual contributions for reservoir cleaning and water development projects within the HMA.

Originally Posted ByBLM