Archive for June 7, 2012

Breaking News: Roundup of Wild Horses to Begin Despite Risks to Tiny Foals and Pregnant Mares

Posted: June 7, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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BLM Snubs Advocate Alternatives to a Helicopter Stampede

BLM bird of prey at Antelope Complex Stampede last year ~ photo by Terry Fitch

RENO, Nev. (June 7, 2012)—Despite extensive conversations with wild horse advocates who explained humane alternatives to a deadly helicopter stampede of tiny foals and late term mares, Gene Seidlitz, BLM District Manager in Winnemucca, NV, signed a Full Force and Effect Decision to round up hundreds of wild horses in the drought stricken Jackson Mountains, calling it necessary for “the health of the horses.”


“How believable is this emergency when privately-owned livestock are still in the
Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area?” asks Ginger Kathrens, Volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation. “And for Mr. Seidlitz to say he is doing this for the ‘health of the horses’ is unbelievable.” 

Bait-trapping expert, Dan Elkins, of Mount Taylor Mustangs in New Mexico, was poised to drive to the area to assess how to safely trap the horses near the few water sources in the most severely affected area of the Jackson Mountain HMA. Elkins has trapped hundreds of horses without injury over the past several decades. 

Eleven national humane organizations signed on to a unified letter requesting that BLM remove all private livestock in the area and opt for a humane alternative to the capture of wild horses. Their letter urged BLM not to expose newborns and mares heavy with foal to a helicopter run. Their suggestions fell on deaf ears. 
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BLM Rounds Up Wild Burros Despite Heat Objections

Posted: June 7, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Burros
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BY SARAH WOMER – SUN STAFF WRITER

“The intense heat and sun of the Arizona desert can be lethal”

Baby Wild Burros Captured and Imprisoned by the BLM ~ photo by Terry Fitch

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management began rounding up burros Wednesday to maintain a healthy population of wild burros on public lands, despite opposition from a congressional representative and animal experts.

The BLM’s Yuma Field Office launched what is being called the largest burro roundup of 2012 in hopes of collecting a target group of 350 burros from the Cibola-Trigo Herd Management Area north of Yuma. The roundup took place amid letters from Congressman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., in addition to an Arizona equine veterinarian and other experts, who were urging the BLM to postpone the operation until the fall because of the heat.

“I ask that the BLM postpone the Cibola-Trigo roundup at this time,” stated Grijalva in a letter to Ken Salazar, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. “When the temperature surpasses 90 degrees Fahrenheit, roundups of wild horses and burros should be suspended. The intense heat and sun of the Arizona desert can be lethal. It can be equally hard on BLM staff, contractors and the viewing public.”

Michael D. Hutchison, a practicing equine veterinarian in Tucson, echoed Grijalva’s sentiments.

“As an established practicing southern Arizona equine veterinarian who serves on the board of the Arizona Coalition for Equines dedicated to abolishing animal cruelty, I am compelled to raise an objection to the round-up under these extreme weather conditions.”

BLM officials said they have revised their plan to round up the animals in temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit and reduced it to a 95-degree maximum instead.

They also stated that all animals gathered will be examined and, if needed, treated by an on-site veterinarian.

Wednesday, the BLM gathered 62 burros in the local area, said Lori Cook with the BLM, noting that the number was their target for the day. “We finished the gather operations around 10:30 a.m. and the temperature was 87 degrees.”

Cook added that the burro roundup is not expected to last the expected two weeks as previously estimated. It is open to the public for viewing, she said, noting that they are meeting at 6:30 a.m. at Fisher’s Landing Store at Martinez Lake for the next week.

“All attendees must drive their own four-wheel-drive or high-clearance vehicle,” stated BLM officials. “Also, observers should dress in accordance with weather conditions and bring plenty of food and water.”

Click (HERE) to visit the Yuma Sun and to Comment
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BLM Plans Helicopter Roundup of Pregnant Mares and Tiny Foals

Posted: June 7, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Wild horse groups unite to protest proposed action in the Jackson Mountains

BLM Contract Chopper Cruelty ~ photo by Terry Fitch

RENO, Nev. (June 6, 2012)—Wild horse advocates are united in protesting the planned helicopter roundup of the entire Jackson Mountain wild horse herd at the height of foaling season. The Bureau of Land Management’s Winnemucca District Office is scheduled to issue their Decision Record regarding the mustangs in this drought stricken area of northern Nevada at any time.

Representatives of Sun J Livestock, a helicopter roundup contractor for BLM, are already in Winnemucca, awaiting the decision from District Manager, Gene Seidlitz. During the few short years the now infamous roundup company has been in business hundreds of mustangs have lost their lives. Despite significant input from wild horse advocates and even those from within BLM, Gene Seidlitz, seems willing to take a chance, opting for the harshest possible measures in dealing with the herd which, according to him, includes “mares heavy with foal and tiny foals.”

“When I spoke with Mr. Seidlitz yesterday, we emphasized the risks involved in running these animals for miles during peak foaling season,” stated Ginger Kathrens, Volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation. “He has been given contacts for water and bait trapping experts who have successfully captured hundreds of wild horses and burros using these far less dangerous methods.” Kathrens fears her pleas may have fallen on deaf ears.

Ironically, privately-owned cattle still graze in the Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) and advocates have been asking Manager Seidlitz to use his statutory authority to remove the livestock first, then continue hauling water to wild horses and set up roundpen panels around the water sources for water trapping.

“Why are they still leaving livestock on the range if it is so bad?” asks Anne Novak, Executive Director of Protect Mustangs. “This is peak foaling season—the most dangerous time of year to be chasing mustangs.”

Spontaneous abortion of late term mares is likely as well as lethal injuries to foals too young to keep up with their mothers. In the past the hooves of these young horses have literally fallen off during and after helicopter stampedes.

“I can’t think of anything more irresponsible or cruel,” says Kathrens. “If BLM would only opt for water trapping rather than a helicopter stampede it would allow us to support the agency rather than continually battling their harsh tactics.”

The Cloud Foundation in conjunction with the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, Animal Law Coalition, Colorado Wild Horse & Burro Coalition, Equine Welfare Alliance, Front Range Equine Rescue, International Fund for Horses, Protect Mustangs, Respect4Horses, Wild Horse Education, and the Wild Horse Freedom Federation encourages the public to urge BLM Winnemucca District Manager, Gene Seidlitz, (gseidlit@blm.gov or 775-623-1501) to opt for humane wild horse management methods.

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