The Bureau of Land Management has concluded the Fox–Lake Wild Horse Gather
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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Black Rock Field Office concluded the Fox - Lake Herd Management Area wild horse gather near Gerlach, Nev., December 17, 2021.
The Black Rock Field Office staff gathered 82 wild horses and removed 23 excess wild horses from public lands. In addition, 23 studs were released back to the range. A population suppression control vaccine called GonaCon was administered to 37 mares. The mares will get a second dose within approximately 30 days and then be released back to the Fox-Lake Herd Management Area.
The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild horses within and outside the Fox- Lake Herd Management Area, where there was not enough water to support the number of animals in the area, to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.
“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the Herd Management Area, as well as the wild horses, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation and severe drought conditions,” said Mark Hall, Black Rock Field Manager.
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 will enable 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 Bureau of Land Management aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.
The gather staff transported the animals removed from the range to the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals located in Reno, Nevada to be readied for the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. Wild 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 Fox-Lake Gather website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/black-rock-fo/2022-fox-lake.
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.