Roundup Report: Blue Wing Complex Horses and Burros

On July 8, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began a wild horse and burro roundup in Nevada’s Blue Wing Complex. As of 2022, the complex is around 2,283,000 acres of public lands. TheBLMis paying C D WarnerLivestockLLC $624,870 to drive the animals into traps with helicopters. The operation seeks to gather and remove 1,373 horses and 356 burros. Of the captured horses, 40 of them will be treated with fertility control. This 2024 roundup seeks to reduce wild horse and burro population size to achieve theBLM’sunscientificAppropriate Management Level(AML).

Post Roundup Summary

July 8, 2024 - August 1, 2024

AWHC humane observers recently documented extremely concerning conditions, including abusive treatment during the Blue Wing Complex wild horse roundup.

The Blue Wing Complex roundup took place underunforgiving conditions, marked by two prolonged heat waves and poor air quality from nearby wildfires. There have been 42 deaths.The causes of death include:

• Traumatic injuries such as broken necks and blunt-force trauma.
• Three animals arriving at the holding corrals dead on the trailer after transport from the roundup site. Non-life-threatening conditions such as blindness, arthritis and clubbed feet for which theBLMroutinely euthanizes animals.

AWHC documenters raised concerns about:

• Foals losing pace and separating from their dams.
• Helicopters pushing horses to exhuastionWranglers excessively pursuing and roping horses.
• Abrasive paddling and agitating trapped horses.
• Horses escaping poorly constructed traps.

Thetrap site was poorly visibleon most days and holdingfacilities were privateand publicly inaccessible (temporary holding at C Punch Ranch and short term in Axtell, UT). AWHC observers documented a contractorkicking and punching a wild horse.This extremely abusive conduct and treatment of a wild horse rises to alevel of criminal conduct that the agency must investigate and address.The agency’s directive is to ensure the humane treatment of wild horses. At minimum, there must be a complete and transparent investigation into cruel actions against wild horses.

Contractor:C D WarnerLivestockLLC. Paid $624,870.

Short term holding(STH): Axtell holding facility, UT

Final totals*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 1,6651,305 Horses (536 Stallions, 544 Mares, and 225 Foals)—underBLMtarget.360 Burros (186 Jacks, 152 Jennies, and 22 Foals)—more thanBLMtarget.
• Shipped: 1,6201,268 Horses (513 Stallions, 530 Mares, and 225 Foals)—underBLMtarget.352 Burros (183 Jacks, 147 Jennies, and 22 Foals)—underBLMtarget.
• Released: 3 Horses (3 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Herd reduction*According toBLM's estimated population

• 68% (Horses)
• 74% (Burros)

42 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 34 Horses
• 8 Burros

AWHC is on the ground—see our reports below

August 1, 2024

Weather:Sunny with a low of 63° and high of 94°F, very light breeze.

Summary: Observers not on site.

Total captured today:83 (37 Stallions, 35 Mares, and 11 Foals)*According toBLMreport

July 31, 2024

Weather: Sunny with a low of 63 and high of 94, very light breeze

Summary: Observers not on site.

Total captured today: 44(20 Stallions, 18 Mares, and 6 Foals)*According toBLMreport

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 20-plus-year-old, Sorrel stallion euthanized due topoor body condition (BCS 1).
• 12-year-old, Sorrel stallion euthanized due to previouslybroken left hind leg.
• 15-year-old, Roan stallion euthanized due to previouslybroken right hind leg.

July 30, 2024: In light of the shocking abuse, AWHC is calling forth an investigation.

AWHC immediately leapt into action and filed a formal complaint regarding this horrific act of violence, calling for immediate investigation into the abuse, which rises to a level of criminal conduct under the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 one year in jail or both.

Sign onto the petition to end the rounduphere.

Weather:Sunny with a low of 57° and high of 86°F, very light breeze.

Summary: Observers not on site.

Daily total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 28(10 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 5 Foals)
• Shipped: 37(12 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 9 Foals)

July 29, 2024

Location: Eugene Mountains HMA

Weather:Hazy from smoke.Sunny with a low of 65° and high of 87°F. Wind at 10-20 mph.

Summary:Trap was hiddenbehind a hill today, allowing only a few, limited observations. The helicopter made five runs, rounding up large groups of horses inimmensely smokey conditions.Roundupsended around 2:00 p.m.. Three trailers of horses left the site today. Five horses were euthanized (as perBLMwebsite), including a mare who was euthanized for being blind in one eye.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 60 (27 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 7 Foals)
• Shipped: 35 (12 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 0 Foals)

5 deaths.

• 19 year old black mare euthanized due toblindness right eye
• 20 year old sorrel stallion euthanized due toarthritisin left hind fetlock
• 20 year old sorrel stallion euthanized due toarthritisin front knees
• 20 year old sorrel stallion euthanized due to congenitaldeformityfront left foot

Young foal running with his herd

Helicopter pursuing a large herd

Horses loaded in tight conditions, awaiting transport

Helicopter swarming a large herd amid haze and clouds of dust

July 29, 2024:

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 65°F and high of 87°F, wind 10-20 mph (viaBLMreports).

Summary: Observers not on site.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 60 (27 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 7 Foals)
• Gathered: 35 (12 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 0 Foals)

5 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• Black mare euthanized due toblindnessin right eye.
• Sorrel stallion euthanized due toarthritisleft hind fetlock.
• Sorrel stallion euthanized due toarthritisin front knees.
• Sorrel stallion euthanized due todeformityfront left foot.
• Sorrel mare euthanized due tohernia.

July 28, 2024:

Weather Conditions:Smoke haze and sunny with a low of 54°F and high of 84°F. Light breezes.

Summary:Smoke and haze limited observer visibility—exacerbated by today’s high temperatures, the smoke presents a hazard to running horses.First roundup brought horses into the trap by 8:20 a.m.. Close to 10:00 a.m., a helicopter landed near where three wranglers had roped a horse.Shrouded in dust and smoke, the tumult was caught on tape by an observer; determined to escape, the horse keptresisting and pushing back, eventually collapsing and trapped.The roundup concluded around 12 p.m..

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured:  33 (15 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 2 Foals)
• Shipped: 73 (36 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 11 Foals)

Observations andEvents:The area where the trap was set today is next to a checkerboard of land property owned by New NV Lands. They are the largest private landowners in the state of Nevada. They own approximately 500,000 acres of land and 1.25 million acres of mineral rights.

Three wranglers struggling to rope a horse, the unrelenting horse ultimately collapses and is pushed to the trap.

A large group of horses running in clouds of smoke and dust into the trap.

July 27, 2024:

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 53° and high of 87°F, wind 5-10 mph. However, observers reported a high of 90°F.

Summary: Over two miles away from the trap site, observers had greatly limited visibility at the outset. Even more, there was a smokey haze from nearby fires that shrouded the entire area; observers had zero visibility of the roundup.

Total captured today:34 (17 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 6 Foals)*According toBLMreport

1 Death.

• Bay mare euthanized due toclubfoot.

With only a fleeting glimpse of horses, observers could only see a swarming helicopter.

Observer's view of the site.

July 26, 2024:

Location: Shawave HMA

Weather Conditions: Sunny with a low of 53 and high of 87, wind 5-15 mph. Observers documented a high of95°F—nearly surpassingBLMwelfare standards.

Summary: With visibility of the trap, observers reported aseries of concerning welfare violations: wranglers agitating trapped horses, horses unable to get up from the ground, and beating a horse in an abusive manner.Moreover,unpadded, overhead trap bars, horses escaped the trap, aggressively roped, and ceaselessly antagonized by the helicopter—horses closely and ruthlessly pursued by all points of operation.

Observations andEvents:

• By 7:19 a.m., ahorse collapsed in the trailer and did not get back up;reports confirm the horsedid not survive.
• At 9 a.m., a wranglerroughly paddled a horse, causing the horse to hit the trap’s panel.
• After pushing for over forty minutes, a persistent mare escaped with two young horses. The helicopter continued to push the remaining horses towards the trap, but to no avail; horses resisted and split off, wranglers followed in pursuit. The observer remarked howwranglers pushed the horses for an unreasonable, unsafe amount of time;“there were wranglers roping horses in every direction.”
• Whilst roped, ayoung horse was pushed and pulled until he collapsed. The wranglers continued to coax him off the ground; eventually, a wrangler appeared to kick him in the face. This went on for a “long time.”
• Another wranglerchased down a stallion to the point of exhaustion. Six wranglers proceeded to rope down one horse.
• At nearly 1 p.m., inextreme heat, the helicopter and wranglers pursued two more horses for an hour and seventeen minutes.
• According to observers, theBLM became uncommunicative when horses were being kicked and roped. There appeared to be no redressing for clear welfare violations.
• The whole operation left an observer “at a loss for words. […] I can’t even describe what I was witnessing.”

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 37 (16 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 5 Foals)
• Shipped: 36 (12 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 0 Foals)
• Released: 1 (1 Stallion, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

2 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• Sorrel stallion euthanized due toblindness in right eye.
• Brown mare died due tobroken neck.

Warning: Graphic Content

A roped young horse, trying to persist and push free is met with unrelenting force forward. Exhausted, he collapses and cannot rise; adismounted wrangler appears to kick him in the face.

A series of horses being relentlessly pushed and roped; many collapsing and depleted.

A horse collapsing in a trailer.

Mare leads two foals to freedom.

July 25, 2024:

Location: Kamma Mountains, Lava Beds, and Seven Troughs HMA's

Weather Conditions: Sunny with a low of 64F° and high of 87F° variable breezes. Observer’s documented a high of95F°, reaching the limit ofBLMwelfare standards.

Summary: Set at the same location as the previous five days, thetrap was not visibleto the observers. During the first run, at 7 am, the helicopter pursued eight horses over a ridge. As they were being pushed up the hill, thegroup appeared tired; the horses were reluctant to continue down the ridgeand confused by the helicopter’s direction. Eventually, the helicopter was able to push them into the trap. Observer’s wereunsure if there was water at the trap—a potential hazard and welfare violation.The eight trappedhorses waited in the transportation trailer for over an hour.By 9:45 am, they were finally transported to temporary holding at a publicly inaccessible, private facility.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 8 (3 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 0 Foals)
• Shipped: 81 (37 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 18 Foals)

Tired, the eight horses being pushed up the ridge.

July 24, 2024:

Location:Kamma Mountains, Lava Beds, and Seven Troughs HMA's

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 68° and high of 94,° very light breeze. Observers recorded a temperature of97° by noon—a definitive violation ofBLMwelfare standards.

Summary: As with yesterday’s roundup, observer visibility of the operation was low. Again,foals and weakened horses couldn’t keep pace, wranglers roped more horses, the trap was hazardously dusty, and extreme heatfurther endangered the horses. On every run,foals were visibly struggling to persistand stay with the group. Additionally, the typicalperimeter for the runs is 5 miles, however, the core lead doubled this to 10 miles; this is particularly far to run foals, especially given the extreme weather conditions.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 63 (27 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 9 Foals)
• Shipped: 37 (24 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Observations andEvents:Arriving at 4:30 am,BLMpersonnel caravanned two observers for over an hour to the observation site. During the second run, a young horse was roped.

A group of horses appearing unmoved and defiant against the helicopter.

Some foals and horses losing ground with the group.

A young horse being chased down and wrangled to a tumble. Persistent, the horse continues to try and run away.

Through heat waves, one can see foals depleted and struggling to stay with the herd.

Tired foals and horses running from the helicopter.

July 23, 2024:

Location: Kamma Mountains, Lava Beds, and Seven Troughs HMA's

Weather Conditions: Sunny with a low of 67 and high of 94, very light breeze. Observers documented98° in the shade, objectively violatingBLM’s welfare standards.

Summary: As with the previous three days, observers couldnot see the trap or its wings. Nearly a mile away in a ravine, the trap was further obscured by clouds of dust from running horses. However, after operations concluded, observers noted the traplacked padding on the overhead bars—a glaring hazard.Moreover,foals couldn’t keep pace during pursuit, foals were separated, and horses were escaping the trap.Amidst the chaos ofhorses jumping over the jute and escaping, a mare was roped to be captured with her separated, already trapped foal. The Blue Wing FY24 roundup hasconsistently operated despite several Heat Advisories, objectively violatingBLM’s welfare standards.Temporary holding remains on private property andinaccessible for public access.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 81 (37 Stallions, 35 Mares, and 9 Foals)
• Shipped: 122 (48 Stallions, 50 Mares, and 24 Foals)

Observations andEvents:The first run of the day pushed a large band for miles, leavingfoals exhausted and struggling to keep pace. As temperatures continued to rise, another group was pursued across the mountain. One foal appearedso depleted that she needed to keep stopping with her dam, but was still pushed towards the pursued group. A fewhorses escaped over the trap’s jute.ABLMemployee told an observer that the horse lying down in the trailer on 7/22 was "fine" after transport to temporary holding.

Mare being roped to join her captured foal

Large group of horses, depleted and slowing down. A couple foals trailing even farther behind the herd.

An exhausted foal and her dam falling even farther behind the herd. Despite the exhaustion, their pursuit persisted

The trap lacked overhead padding

July 22, 2024:

Location: Area between Kamma Mountains, Lava Beds and Seven Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions:Heat advisory still in effect.Temperature midday was101 degrees in the shade.

Summary: Multiple runs conducted withpoor visibilityof trap site and wings. A large group was pushed into the trap at 9:00am, and roundup operations ended at 12:20pm.Heat was extreme, and one horse was lying down in the trailerduring transport to temporary holding. Temporary holding is located on private property and is offeringno access for observation.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 126 (54 Stallions, 48 Mares, and 24 Foals)
• Shipped: 75 (23 Stallions, 36 Mares, and 16 Foals)

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 14 year old roan stallion euthanized due toblindness in right eye. AWHC has ongoing investigations regarding blindness deaths.
• 30 year old sorrel stallion euthanized due to havingno teeth.
• 17 year old black mare euthanized due toEquine Lordosis.

Observations andEvents:Ahorse lying down in the trailer during transport prompted the driver to stop and exit the truck to check on the horse.

Horse lying down in trailer, prompting driver to halt transport and check inside.

Helicopter pursuing a large herd.

July 21, 2024:

Location: North backside of Seven Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions: Heat Advisoryin effect until Tuesday night. Temperatures in the triple digits.

Summary:Roundupsare happening from the Kamma Mountains, Lava Beds, and Seven Troughs HMAs. Trap and trap wings werenot visibleto observers.Despite the heat wave, helicopters ran horsesstarting before 7:00 am, ending at around 11:00 am when temperatures wereclose to 100 degrees, a violation ofBLM’s welfare standards. Young foals were observed running miles to the trap, struggling to keep up; more foals were left behindduring the final push into the trap, and some had to be chased down and roped. One yearling avoided capture and went running by the observation area.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 64 (25 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 9 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
• Shipped: 37 (24 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 16 year old bay mare died due to blunt force trauma caused by a horse kicking her in the head
• 11 year old bay mare found deceased on truck upon arrival at holding
• 20 year old pinto mare euthanized due to poor body condition

Observations andEvents:Today, AWHC learned the COD of a stallion from July 20; hebroke his neck while in the trap. Additionally, a mare that died July 19broke her neck at temporary holding. As for the twohorses reported as “released” (via theBLM), they actually escapedfrom temporary holding.

Separated, young foal being roped.

Escaping foal being roped.

July 20, 2024:

Location: North backside of Seven Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 70 degrees and a high of 98 degrees. Slight breeze.

Summary:BLMused a new trap site today with the stated goal of capturing 400 horses from this area. Unless treated withfertility control, theBLMemployees would not release any animal. The trap today was about a mile away from observation site, and was on flat ground.Visibility was poor.

Today’s operations captured horses from the Seven Troughs, Lava Beds, and Kamma Mountains HMA’s. The helicopter beganroundupsat7:50am and the temperature was already nearly 80 degrees.By 8:30am a trailer was leaving the trap site with a load of newly captured horses. By 9:00am, it was nearly 90 degrees. Seventeen horses were captured at 10:00am and werevisibly exhausted.One horse escaped the run. And when that horse was unthreatened, at a distance, it looked back at its entire family—stuck in the trap.At 10:20am, the helicopter landed. By 11:00am the roundup ended for the day, with the temperature atnearly 100 degrees, completely violatingBLMwelfare regulations. The trailer left the trap with another load of horses in the extreme heat.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 57 (25 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 7 Foals)
• Shipped: 36 (12 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 9 Foals)

1 Death.*According toBLMreport

• 11 year old bay stallion died due from abroken neck

Observations andEvents:One mare reported to havedied in temporary holding from a heart condition.A necropsy was performed and she was found to have enlarged walls in her heart. TheBLMhas not reported this death.

Bands of horses, including foals, running from the helicopter.

Loaded trailer taking captured horses to holding.

July 19, 2024:

Location: Shawave HMA

Weather Conditions: Sunny. Low of 64 degrees, high of 92 with a light breeze

Summary: First roundup occurred shortly after 8:00am. Horses werepursued by helicopter for over an hour before reaching the trap.At 9:00am the first trailer left with captured horses to take to temporary holding. Before 10:00am a second band, including two foals, was run into the trap. Between 10:00am and 10:30am, another two trailers full of horses left. At approximately 10:40am, awrangler came in with a foal.A last run was made by the helicopter as well, bringing yet another band into the trap.One horse fell behind and was ropedand brought in.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• Captured: 32 (12 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 9 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
• Shipped: 85 (38 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 22 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 1 year old bay mare euthanized due tobroken neck
• 16 year old roan stallion euthanized due tolamenessin right hip
• Buckskin foal euthanized due todeformedfront legs

Observations andEvents:During the last run, the helicopter pilot pushed horses from a far distance and was unsuccessful in trapping them. Consequently,horses were left without immediate or close access to water after the long run towards the traps.

Observers witnessedone roping of a horseand noted that theoverhead bars of the temporary holding pens were unpadded, which is aBLMviolation.

Lone foal being roped.

Helicopter pushing band of horses into trap.

Date:July 18, 2024

Location:Shawave Mountains HMA

Weather Conditions:Temperatures were between 75 and92 degrees.Sunny skies with winds at 5-7 MPH.

Summary:The observers were .81 miles away from the trap site. Onehorse hit a panel at the trap siteon the last run and fell down, but got up. The trap appeared to be set up in accordance with CAWP, howeverthere does not seem to be padding on the overhead bar. Towards the end of the day the trap/catch pen should have been watered down to avoid excessive dust, but there wasno dust abatement. There were no ropings today. Temporary Holding was on private land at C Punch Ranch. The animals were brought to Axtell Holding in Utah, a private short-term holding facility.There were 5 deaths today. All were euthanized.

Total captured today:112 (41 Stallions, 49 Mares, and 22 Foals)*According toBLMreport:

Observations andEvents:

• 1 horse hit a panel at the trap site on the last run and fell down, but got up.
• No dust abatement.
• No padding on the overhead bar.
• 5 deaths

5 deaths:*According toBLMreport:

• 12-year-old, Bay stallion euthanized due to lameness, i.e., previous injury to right rear hock.
• 20-year-old, Roan mare euthanized due to heart disease-failure.
• 9-year-old, Sorrel stallion euthanized due to lameness, i.e., previous injury to front right knee.
• 12-year-old, Bay mare euthanized due to broken left hind leg.
• 25-plus-year-old, Gray stallion euthanized due to poor body condition

Photos to come.

July 17, 2024:

Location: Observation site on Shawave HA. However, observers were notified the contractors were rounding up from the Selenite HA.

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 67 and high of 92, winds 5-10 mph

Summary: Today’s trap appeared to be compliant withBLMstandards, however, observers noted theoverhead bars lacked appropriate padding; a foal was able to push his head through the bars on the catch pen.Three members of the public attended the roundup and witnesseddepleted horses and foals falling behind, running through trap fencing, and helicopters pushing horses from beyond the designated perimeter.One of our observers captured on video (posted below) of a lonestallion taking a serious fallwhilst being roped.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• 169 (69 Stallions, 70 Mares, and 30 Foals) Captured
• 76 (50 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 0 Foals) Shipped

A lone stallion being pushed by the helicopter; eventually two ropers start chasing him. Sprinting away from the ropers, thehorse takes a shocking fall. Observers unsure if the horse survived the tumble, the stallion ultimately rose, roped, and attempted to continue running but to no avail.

Large herd running and a young foal being roped.

Horses getting agitated in trap.

Another lone young foal roped.

July 16, 2024:

Location:Truckee Range HA

Weather: Sunny with a low of 73 and high of 94, winds 8-17 mph

Summary: Operations, conducted by C D WarnerLivestock, appeared to be in compliance withBLMstandards. Temperatures were rising through the early morning, nearing a premature ending to the roundup. By the third to last run, a stallion was pushed to the trap;five wranglers had to rope him in.The Truckee RangeHA is now zeroed out.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• Captured: 74 (23 Stallions, 35 Mares, and 16 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
• Shipped: 70 (21 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 15 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

Helicopter pushing herds of horses to trap.

Horses loaded for transportation to C Punch Ranch.

Horses being closely rounded and pushed by the helicopter into the trap.

Horses being paddled into trap, crowded and stressful. Loaded immediately into trucks.

Large horse herds running into the trap, shrouded in clouds of dust.

Helicopter pushing a lone horse; observations distorted by heat haze.

Five contractors roping a lone stallion.

July 15, 2024:

Location:Shawave Mountains HMA

Weather Conditions:Hotter than yesterday. Mid 90s by the time theroundupsended.

Summary: The trap was the same as yesterday, butvisibility was worse due to heat distortion.There was reportedly anissue in temporary holding regarding a loose foal; the helicopter hovered for a while until the foal was returned.A few horses evaded the trap today. One horse was eventually captured but several others, including a burro, avoided the trap. Two trailers went to temporary holding from the trap after theroundupswere complete.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• Captured: 28 (12 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 6 Foals)
• Shipped: 126 (48 Stallions, 51 Mares, and 27 Foals)

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport:

• 3-year-old, Grulla stallion euthanized due to club foot, right front.
• 11-year-old, Bay mare euthanized due to developmental deformity, right hind leg.
• 17-year-old, Bay stallion euthanized due to fractured front left shoulder.

July 14, 2024:

Location:Shawave Mountains HMA

Weather Conditions: Temperatures were between 70 and 86 degrees. Some rain showers with gusts of wind up to 11 MPH.

Summary: Today’s roundup began at 7:45am when the first helicopters began flying. They made six runs, bringing in a total of 119 horses. There was only one public observer today and thetrap entrance was not visiblefrom the observation point. However, horses were able to be seen as they were brought into the catch pen just before they entered the trap.

No deaths or injuries were observed, butmany foals and a few weak horses fell behindduring the runs. We also witnessed the contractorsseparating foals from their mothers and roping horses; there was a lot of whinnying.

Both holding facilities are private property (temporary at C-Punch; short-term at Axtell), and so,public observation is prohibited.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• Captured: 119 (51 Stallions, 44 Mares, and 24 Foals)
• Shipped: 87 (36 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 26 Foals)
• Released: 1 (1 Stallion, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

3 Deaths.*According toBLMreport:

• 5-year-old, Bay stallion euthanized due to severe arthritis in front right knee.
• 20-year-old, Black stallion euthanized due to severe arthritis in front right knee.
• 16-year-old, Dun mare euthanized due to deformed right front leg.

July 13, 2024:

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 74 andhigh of 95, winds 8-15 mph.

Summary:AWHC is on the ground at the Blue Wing Complex.

AWHC’s roundup observer Monica Ross met theBLMat 4:45 am at the Toulon exit off of 1-80. Together they caravanned to the trap location. By 6:12 am the helicopter was in the air. At the start, the temp was at 80° F, and winds were 2-4 MPH.

The first run came in at 8:12 am and the second came in at 9:36 am. Both times the contractor brought the horses down from the area behind the mountain. TheBLMtold Ross that told that they werebringing the mustangs in from areas outside the HMA. She wasunable able to see how many came in due to distance and heat. The perimeter that he is allowed to fly from trap is set at 5 miles. At 10:22 theBLMcalled it a day. Temp was at 99°F.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• Captured: 42 (13 Stallions, 19 Mares, and 10 Foals)
• Shipped: 10 (6 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 0 Foals) and 50 (14 Jacks, 34 Jennies and 2 Foals)

2 Deaths.*According toBLMreport:

• 5-year-old, Bay stallion euthanized due tofractured left hind leg.
• 15-year-old, Sorrel stallion euthanized due to severearthritisin front left knee.

Ross went to temp holding and view is obstructed by farm/ranching equipment as we are only allowed outside the fence line.

July 12, 2024:

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 79 and high of 95, winds 2-15 mph.

Summary:Today is the beginning of theBLMrounding up wild horses in the Blue Wing Complex. The first run came in with approximately 25 burros. After this, there were 2 more runs bringing in wild horses and then theBLMended the roundup for the day due to heat.The view of thetrap was extremely obstructed.

Today's total*According toBLMreport:

• Captured 94 (39 Stallions, 36 Mares, and 19 Foals) 25 (10 Jacks, 13 Jennies and 2 Foals)
• Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 141 (61 Jacks, 60 Jennies and 20 Foals)

2 Deaths.*According toBLMreport:

• 5-year-old, Gray jennydied due to Colic.
• 2-year-old, Pinto jennyfounddeceased on truck upon arrivalat Indian Lakes Off-Range Corrals.

July 11, 2024:Location: Porter Springs, 7 Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 75°and high of 95°, winds 2-5 mph

Summary: Our observer was placed over a mile away from the trap site with extremely obstructed visibility. When the helicopters pushed the burros toward the site, they came in from behind a hill, which obstructed our observer's view of the burros as they approached the trap. All Burros were shipped to Axtell Holding facility and 77 to Indian Lakes in Fallon, NV.

Today's total captured:27 (17 Jacks, 7 Jennies and 3 Foals)*According toBLMreport:

Observations andEvents:

• Some burros were roped

• Cattle present

• Very difficult to see trap site

Photos and videos

A burro is roped in the distance

Blue Wing burros

Blue Wing Horses

July 10, 2024:

Location: Porter Springs, 7 Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 68 and high of 93, winds 2-10 mph

Summary:

Two members of the public were present. Over a mile away and behind a hill, thetrap was barely visibleto observers. Temperatures rose to 93° and prematurely concluded operations by 10:30 a.m.; the National Weather Service has extended theExcessive Heat Warninguntil Saturday. According toBLMreports,50 burros were trapped, all of which (54) were shipped.One death occurred. Transported to private property (C-Punch Ranch) for temporary holding,public observation was unavailable.

Today's total*According toBLMreport

• 50 (33 Jacks, 12 Jennies and 5 Foals) Captured
• 54 (18 Jacks, 36 Jennies and 0 Foals) Shipped

One death.*According toBLMreport

• 20-plus-year-old, Gray jack euthanized due tosevere arthritisin front right knee.

Observations andEvents:

• Trap visibility was low; it was over a mile away and behind a hill.
• Four burros coming for water at Porter Spring got captured.
• The helicopter separated the burros from cattle before pushing the burros towards the trap.
• One of theburros hung back and was later ropedby a crew on horseback.
• By the time operations finished, all that remained were cattle; all burros near Porter Springs were captured and removed.
• The cattle have ear tags andbrands belonging to C-Punch; C-Punch Ranch also happens to be the temporary holding contracted by the BLM. No public observation was allowed.

Photos and videos:

Burros at Porter Springs before being trapped.

Burros being pushed past a cattle herd.

Burros coming in for water, soon to be rounded up.

View of burros being pushed behind a hill into the trap.

End of today’s operations, only cattle remain.

Cattle with C-Punch ear tags.

July 9, 2024:

Location:Lava Beds HMA

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 66 and high of 93, winds 2-10 mph

Summary:

There were 3 members of the public present. Placed in a ravine, Visibility of the trap was obstructed and shrouded in clouds of dust. By 7:30 a.m., temperatures reached 90°F and ended operations early (10 a.m.) at a temperature of 94°F. Afterwards, 54 burros were shipped to holding.

Today's total*According toBLMreport114 (60 Jacks, 50 Jennies and 4 Foals)Captured

5 deaths.*According toBLMreport

• 15-year-old, Gray jenny founddeceased on trailer upon arrival at temporary holding.
• 2-year-old, Gray jack euthanized due tofractured leg.
• 20-plus-year-old, Gray jack euthanized due toclub foot.
• 4-year-old, Brown jenny euthanized due todeformed front legs.
• 18-year-old, Brown jenny euthanized due todeformed front feet.

Observations andEvents:

• Low visibility of trap site; placed ½ a mile away in a ravine.
• Observers only saw a cloud of dust approaching the trap.
• Burros were roped.
• Gathers stopped by 10 a.m. at 94°F. The National Weather Service has listed an Excessive Heat Warning for the area until Friday.
• Temporary holding on private property, allowing no viewing.

Photos and videos

View of trap site

Helicopters pushing burros towards the trap.

Horseback riders pushing burros into the trap.

As burros enter the trap, clouds of dust rise from the ravine.

After avoiding the trap, riders approach to rope the escaping burros.

Observer view of temporary holding.

July 8, 2024:

Location: Porter Springs / 7 Troughs HMA

Weather Conditions:Sunny with a low of 66 and high in the triple digits. Winds of 5-15 mph.

Summary:

The trap was over a mile away, with the burros coming in from behind a hill.The roundup stopped at noon, at 94 degrees.144 burros captured on the first day of this roundup. CD WarnerLivestockLLC removed burros from Porter Springs on the 7 Troughs HMA. A 6-person video crew and the AWHC observer showed for observation.Most of the burros our observer saw coming for water at Porter Spring got captured.A few burros temporarily avoided capture byhiding among the cattle.With fewer burros after the removal 2 years ago, our observer has noticeda lot more cattle at Porter Springs.The National Weather Service has listed anExcessive Heat Warningfor the area until Friday. The temperature climbed to 105. Temp holding is on private property.

Today's total captured:144 (66 Jacks, 70 Jennies and 8 Foals)*According toBLMreport

Observations andEvents:

• Poor visibility of trap site; observers placed over a mile away
• The roundup stopped at noon, at 94 degrees. Temperature continued to climb after.
• lot more cattle at Porter Springs.
• The National Weather Service has listed an Excessive Heat Warning for the area until Friday.

The roundup takes place in the distance as two Blue Wing burros evade the helicopter

Burros hide among the many cattle in the Blue Wing Complex

Burros and cattle stand by a watering hole

Blue Wing burros

Blue Wing burro family

Burros are pushed forward by helicopter

View of the trap site

Helicopter pushing burros toward the trap site

Last updated July, 2024