Update from the Wild Horse Freedom Federation
Rain Rides in to Rescue Wild Horses
A West Douglas Family Band ~ photo by Toni Moore
On July 30th the Colorado division of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) called off the alleged “Emergency” roundup of Colorado’s West Douglas Wild Horse Herd. Earlier in the month wild horse and burro advocacy groups; Colorado Wild Horse and Burro Coalition, Cloud Foundation, Front Range Equine Rescue, Habitat for Horses, Dr. Don and Toni Moore along with the Wild Horse Freedom Federation attempted to block the proposed gather as it appeared to be an attempt to circumvent the current litigation blocking the BLM from zeroing out the unique wild horse herd for almost two decades.
Late in June the groups sent into the HMA qualified investigators that returned with photographic evidence that natural water supplies were prevalent throughout the HMA but on July 3rd U.S. District Judge Rosmary Collyer barred the BLM from removing all horses yet allowed the limited roundup of 50 horses due to the alleged short water supplies.
Wild horse advocates shared deep concerns that removing 50 individuals from the herd would seriously put the genetic viability of the ravaged herd at risk but it appears that mother nature has come to the rescue with ample precipitation and the horse removal operation has been suspended.
The resource conditions that warranted an emergency gather do not presently exist. The area has received rain on and off for the last 10 days. The horses have dispersed themselves throughout the HA and are no longer coming to the water trap. However, these present conditions are likely to change quickly and we could be right back in an emergency situation. The gather activities were placed in a “Suspend Work Order” for the next 30 days.
West Douglas Emergency Wild Horse Gather
Gather Reports
| 2012 |
Comments |
| July 15 |
Summary: Construction began on the water trap today. No attempts to gather were made today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 16 |
Summary: Construction of trap completed at 1 p.m. Monitoring of trap area continues. No attempts to gather were made today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 17 |
Summary: Monitoring trap area today. No attempts to gather.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 18 |
Summary: Monitoring trap area today. No attempts to gather
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 19 |
Summary: Complete pannel contruction was completed and 10 horses were gathered.
Stallions Captured = 1
Mares Captured = 5
Foals Captured = 4
Animals gathered: 10
Animals shipped:
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 20 |
Summary: Horses gathered without any injury
Foals Captured = 1
Stallions Captured = 1
Mares Captured = 2
Animals gathered: 4
Animals shipped:
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 21 |
Summary: Horses gathered without injury. Transportation to Canon City is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.
Foals Captured = 1
Stallions Captured = 2
Mares Captured = 2
Animals gathered: 5
Gathered related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 22 |
Summary: Gathering operations slowed with only one horse gathered. No injuries to animals during this gather to date. Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 23 |
Summary: No animals were gathered and no attempts at gathering took place today. Animals were shipped to Canon City withoug incident.
Prior to the gather, one foal was identified as an orphan. The mare responsible for this orphan was never located or identified. The BLM has sent the orphaned animal to foster care.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped to Canon City: 19
Animals shipped for foster care: 1
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 24 |
Summary: No animals were gathered and no attempts at gather were made. Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras.
General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 25 |
Summary: No animals were gathered and no attempts at gather were made. Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras.General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 26 |
Summary: No animals were gathered and no attempts at gather were made. Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras.General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 27 |
Summary: Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras. Horses remain in the area and are using water provided to them. Gathering attempts were unsuccessful.General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 28 |
Summary: Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras. Horses remain in the area and are using water provided to them. Gathering attempts were unsuccessful.General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 29 |
Summary: Currently, we are collecting usage data with trail cameras. Horses remain in the area and are using water provided to them. Gathering attempts were unsuccessful.
General Terrain and Weather:
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Gather related animal deaths: 0
Non-gather related animal deaths: 0 |
| July 30 |
The resource conditions that warranted an emergency gather do not presently exist. The area has received rain on and off for the last 10 days. The horses have dispersed themselves throughout the HA and are no longer coming to the water trap. However, these present conditions are likely to change quickly and we could be right back in an emergency situation. The gather activities were placed in a “Suspend Work Order” for the next 30 days. |
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20 of the 50 were captured at the time of the roundup suspension, details can be viewed by clicking (HERE).
Further information on this ongoing battle can be viewed at Wild Horse Freedom Federation by clicking (HERE)
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