The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2024 Marietta Wild Burro Gather
CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2024 Marietta wild burro gather located approximately 45 miles south of Hawthorne, Nev., in Mineral County., on August 22, 2024. The BLM gathered 296 wild burros and 25 wild horses and removed 296 burros and 25 excess wild horses from public lands. Removed animals include deaths, in which 0.00% were due to sudden/acute deaths.
The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild burros within and outside the area, where there was not enough food to support the number of animals in the region, to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild burros and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands. Horses were removed because this area is not managed for wild horses. Another purpose of the gather is public safety and safety of the animals as some have been hit by vehicles along the highway.
The gather was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Sierra Front-Northern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. In addition, by balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.
“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the management area, as well as the wild burros in the area, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation and lack of food,” said Kim Dow, Carson City District Manager.
The BLM transported the burros removed from the range to the to the Axtell Off-Range Corrals, located in Axtell, Utah. All horses identified for removal were transported to the Palomino Valley Off-Range Corrals, located in Reno, Nevada, to be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. Wild burros and horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Additional gather information is available on the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/nevada-carson-city-do/2024.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.