On January 5, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its annual plan outlining the actions it will take to reduce wild horse and burro populations in the West through gathers and fertility control. As of March 1, 2021, it was estimated that there are 86,000 feral horses and burros on BLM lands, which is more than three times the agency’s appropriate management level. Due to extreme drought conditions in recent years, the impacts of feral horses intensified with increased starvation, thirst, and habitat destruction. Last year, the agency conducted a record number of emergency actions to save animals and protect critical habitat on public lands. Under the fiscal year 2022 plan, the BLM plans to gather at least 22,000 wild horses and burros from overpopulated herds—at least 19,000 excess animals will be removed while at least 2,300 animals will be treated with various forms of fertility control and released back on public lands. If achieved, this would be the largest number of animals ever treated with fertility control in one year—nearly double the previous record of 1,160 treatments set in 2021—as well as the largest number of animals ever gathered and removed in one year.

“The BLM is committed to the safety of the wild horses and burros entrusted to our care,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “Our gather efforts, handling standards, and fertility control work are guided by our compassion for these animals and our desire to protect their well-being, as well as the health of our public lands.”

More information is available at the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program website.