wildhorse__HerdManagement_2018AntelopeValleyHMA_CreditBLMBruceThompson

2019 TRIPLE B COMPLEX WILD HORSE GATHER

The Bureau of Land Management’s Ely and Elko District Offices began the gather on July 8 and have concluded the wild horse and burro gather on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Purpose of Gather:

The purpose of the gather is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Removing excess animals would also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.

Details of Gather:

The BLM will utilize the services of a helicopter contractor to gather and remove up to 800 excess wild horses. During the gather, the BLM will collect information on herd characteristics and determine herd health. The gather operation is expected to last approximately 25-30 days. Approximately 2,581 wild horses will remain in the HMA once the gather is completed. Appropriate Management Level is 474-889 wild horses.

Public Observation:

Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. The BLM anticipates that viewing opportunities will begin on July 9, 2019, weather and logistics permitting. Anyone wanting to view gather operations are to notify Public Affairs Specialist Chris Hanefeld at (775) 289-1800 prior to the desired viewing date for addition to the attendee list and to receive specific instructions on meeting locations and times.

Observers must provide their own transportation. The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle.

Adoption Information:

All horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Sparks, Nev., where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program. For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

Background:

The Triple B Complex is located in the BLM Elko and Ely districts on public lands administered by the Wells and Bristlecone field offices. The Complex consists of the Triple B, Maverick Medicine and Antelope Valley HMAs, and Cherry Springs Wild Horse Territory. The gather may also take place in areas outside the Complex where wild horses have moved in search of food and water and are creating a public safety hazard by traveling across roads and highways.

The current population estimate for the Triple B Complex is approximately 3,381 wild horses, excluding the 2019 foal crop. Appropriate Management Level is 474-889 wild horses. 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 other resources.

Access the decision record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/84367/510. For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov

Daily Gather Reports

Tuesday, July 17

Summary: No gather operations today. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 137 (64 Studs, 59 Mares, 14 Foals)

Animals Released: 1 (1 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

Filly, Sorrel was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to chronic injury (Severe limb deformity)

Foal, Sorrel was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to chronic injury (weak wouldn’t unable to stand for periods of time prognosis for recovery)

Monday, July 16

Summary: Gather operations continued today under mostly sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 58-92 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 108 (36 Studs, 56 Mares, 16 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 130 (51 Studs, 54 Mares, 25 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

10 year old Cramello Stallion was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to chronic condition (Blind)

19 year old Roan mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to chronic condition (Blind)

Sunday, July 15

Summary: Gather operations continued today under mostly sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 56-88 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 128 (41 Studs, 61 Mares, 26 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 81 (37 Studs, 35 Mares, 9 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

Foal, Bay was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to acute injury (water toxicity)

Foal, Sorrel was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to acute injury (injured during transport)

Friday, July 14

Summary: Gather operations continued today under clear sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 59-90 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 67 (26 Studs, 32 Mares, 9 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 127 (40 Studs, 65 Mares, 22 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

4 year old buckskin mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to Acute condition (fractured skull)

7 year old white mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to pre-existing injury (Blind)

9 year old sorrel stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to pre-existing injury (Club foot)

Thursday, July 13

Summary: Gather operations continued today under clear sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 59-92 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 173 (82 Studs, 69 Mares, 22 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 41 (13 Studs, 22 Mares, 6 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

Wednesday, July 12

Summary: Gather operations continued today under clear mostly sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 51-91 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 42 (15 Studs, 19 Mares, 8 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 83 (39 Studs, 31 Mares, 13 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

Foal, Bay, was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to chronic condition (extremely weak tendons)

Tuesday, July 11

Summary: Gather operations continued today under clear sunny skies, wind 0-15 mph, 54-94 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 94 (47 Studs, 34 Mares, 13 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 75 (40 Studs, 24 Mares, 11 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

6 y.o. Palomino mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to acute injury (laceration)

9 y.o. Bay Mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to acute injury (laceration)

Monday, July 10

Summary: Gather operations continued today under clear and mostly sunny skies, wind 0-8 mph, 54-91 F. Horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 75 (40 Studs, 24 Mares, 11 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 113 (31 Studs, 56 Mares, 26 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

Foal, Sorrel, was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to poor prognosis for recovery due to chronic condition, (extremely weak tendons)

Sunday, July 09

Summary: Gather operations began today under clear and mostly sunny skies, wind 0-8 mph, Low 57 degrees F., High 87 degrees F. No horses were shipped today.

Animals Gathered: 117 (32 Studs, 56 Mares, 29 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

Filly, Sorel, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to a poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition, (missing eye)

Filly, Sorel, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to a poor prognosis for recovery due to an acute injury, (broken right front leg)

14 year old, Sorel, Stud, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to a poor prognosis for recovery due to an acute injury, (laceration)