Programs: Wild Horse and Burro: Herd Management: Gathers and Removals: Nevada: 2018 Bullfrog Wild Burro Gather

2018 Bullfrog Wild Burro Gather

This gather concluded on July 24, 2018

Purpose of Gather:

The purpose of the gather is to remove excess wild burros from locations close to U.S. 95 and within sensitive wildlife habitat. The gather is needed to alleviate some of the public safety and nuisance concerns, to protect rangeland resources from deterioration associated with excess wild burros, and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple use relationship on the public lands consistent with the provisions of Section 1333 (a) of the WFRHBA of 1971.

Wild burros in the Bullfrog HMA were last gathered in September of 2015 to remove nuisance animals from the town of Beatty. Previously, 77 burros were gathered by helicopter in March 2012. Currently, the estimated population is 811% of the high AML of 91.

Details of Gather:

The current population estimate for the Bullfrog HMA, as of March 1, 2018, is approximately 672 wild burros. The appropriate management level (AML) is 55-91 wild burros. AML is the level at which wild horse populations are consistent with the land’s capacity to support them and other mandated uses of those lands, including protecting ecological processes and habitat for wildlife and livestock.

The BLM will conduct this operation by using temporary water and bait traps consisting of a series of corral panels stocked with water and hay; no helicopters will be used. Because of the nature of the bait and water trap method, wild burros are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity; therefore, only essential gather operation personnel will be allowed at the trap site during operations.

The wild burros removed from the range during this gather will be transported to Axtell Contract Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Facility, located in Axtell, Utah where they will be seen by a veterinarian, vaccinated, dewormed and treated as necessary. Once the burros have their vaccination boosters they will be available for adoption to qualified applications.

Adoption Information:

Animals removed from the Bullfrog HMA will be prepared for adoption at Axtell Contract Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Facility. Those that are not adopted will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they will retain their "wild" status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. For more information on how to adopt a wild horse or burro visit https://on.doi.gov/2fJoNHJ

Background:

The Preliminary Bullfrog HMA Wild Burro Gather Plan EA was made available on November 30, 2012 for a 30-day comment period. The Final EA and Decision were made available on January 25, 2012. These documents were posted online with issuance of news releases. Letters were also sent to the interested party mailing list for the involved HMAs and grazing allotments, notifying the public of the document availability. The 2012 Decision provides for phased gathers over a period of six to ten years from the date of the decision to gradually achieve the low end of the AML range. The Decision also allows for the use of bait/water trapping when feasible as a supplemental method of removing burros.

Gather Reports

July 24, 2018

Summary: The new goal for burros gathered during the 2018 Bullfrog Wild Burro Gather was 400 and the team has gathered a total of 404. While other activities within the gather operations continue, no additional wild burros will be gathered from the range. The final transport of 101 burros was completed this morning.

Animals gathered: 0

Animals shipped: 101