2020 Eagle Complex Wild Horse Gather
On January 16, 2020, the Bureau of Land Management Color Country (Utah) District, Cedar City Field Office; and Ely (Nevada) District, Caliente Field Office began gathering and removing excess wild horses from in and around the Eagle Complex. The Complex consists of the Chokecherry, Eagle and Mt. Elinor Herd Management Areas (HMAs) located in Lincoln County, Nev., and Beaver and Iron counties, Utah, about 50 miles southeast of Ely, Nevada. The gather operation is expected to last approximately six weeks.
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 Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.
Details of Gather:
The BLM will utilize the services of a helicopter contractor to gather up to 1,700 excess wild horses and remove up to 1,600 excess horses. The BLM will treat up to 50 mares with the fertility control vaccine GonaCon-Equine and release the mares with an equal number of stud horses. Appropriate Management Level for the Complex is 139-265 wild horses. During the gather, the BLM will collect information on herd characteristics and determine herd health.
Public Observation:
Members of the public are welcome to view the gather operations, provided that 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 or about January 14, 2020, weather and logistics permitting. Once gather operations have begun, those wanting to view gather operations must call the gather hotline nightly at (775) 861-6700 to receive specific instructions on each days’ meeting location and time.
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 Eagle Complex consists of the Eagle, Chokecherry and Mt. Elinor herd management areas (HMA). The Eagle HMA is in the Ely District on public lands administered by the Caliente Field Office. The Chokecherry and Mt. Elinor HMAs are in the Color Country District on public lands administered by the Cedar City Field Office. The gather may also take place in areas outside the HMAs where wild horses have moved in search of food and water.
The current population estimate for the Eagle HMA is 2,008 wild horses. The AML is 100-210 wild horses. The current population estimate for the Chokecherry HMA is approximately 355 wild horses. The AML is 24-30 wild horses. The current population estimate for the Mt. Elinor HMA is 121 wild horses. The AML is 15-25 wild horses. The population estimates include the 2019 foal crop. 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/106147/510. For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov
Gather Reports
Feb. 25, 2020
Summary: Operations complete
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 28 Mares
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 23, 2020
Summary: Operations are nearing completion
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 (21 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 19 Studs
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 22, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 27 and high of 47
Animals gathered: 13 (5 Studs, 8 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 41 (5 Studs, 36 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 21, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 19 and high of 61
Animals gathered: 48 (21 Studs, 27 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 88 (53 Studs, 35 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 4
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 4
- 1-year-old bay stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to crooked back with a poor prognosis for recovery.
- 25-year-old bay stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to body condition score 2 (no teeth) and a poor prognosis for recovery.
- 20-year-old bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to body condition score 2 (no teeth) and a poor prognosis for recovery.
- 18-year-old bay stud with blind left eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 20, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 15 and high of 51
Animals gathered: 99 (45 Studs, 54 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 39 (26 Studs, 13 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
- 5-year-old bay stud; due to broken neck during sorting.
Feb. 19, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 25 and high of 47
Animals gathered: 21 (9 Studs, 12 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 48 (6 Studs, 42 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 5-year-old bay mare with severe club foot was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 18, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 30 and high of 45
Animals gathered: 79 (34 Studs, 45 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 86 (36 Studs, 50 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
- 20-year-old bay mare; due to broken neck during sorting.
Feb. 17, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 34 and high of 58
Animals gathered: 72 (30 Studs, 42 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 16, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 30 and high of 55
Animals gathered: 20 (10 Studs, 10 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 37 (18 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 15, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 22 and high of 58
Animals gathered: 40 (21 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 37 (18 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 14, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 27 and high of 51
Animals gathered: 37 (18 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 28 (14 Studs, 14 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 13, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 36 and high of 47
Animals gathered: 23 (11 Studs, 12 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 12, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 36 and high of 45
Animals gathered: 2 (0 Studs, 2 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 11, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 34 (14 Studs, 20 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 10, 2020
Summary: Cold with a low of 20 and high of 40
Animals gathered: 28 (8 Studs, 20 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 9, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 5-year-old dun stud with severe parrot mouth deformity was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 8, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 36 and a high of 46
Animals gathered: 26 (9 Studs, 17 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 (2 Studs, 38 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 1-year-old sorrel stud blind in left eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 7, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 36 and a high of 46
Animals gathered: 6 (3 Studs, 3 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 38 (31 Studs, 6 Mares, 1 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 6, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 36 and a high of 43
Animals gathered: 47 (21 Studs, 21 Mares, 1 Foals)
Animals shipped: 85 (34 Studs, 51 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 5, 2020
Summary: Cold with a low of 23 and a high of 34
Animals gathered: 81 (43 Studs, 38 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
- 5-year-old bay mare experiencing colic was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 4, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 3, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 39 (26 Studs, 13 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Feb. 2, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 87 (38 Studs, 49 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 5-year-old grulla mare swayback was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Feb. 1, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 30 and high of 60
Animals gathered: 126 (60 Studs, 66 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 47 (24 Studs, 23 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 31, 2020
Summary: Cold with a low of 25 and high of 46
Animals gathered: 54 (21 Studs, 33 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 44 (7 Studs, 37 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 30, 2020
Summary: Cold with a low of 30 and high of 45
Animals gathered: 40 (17 Studs, 23 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 29, 2020
Summary: No gather operations today due to high winds
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 86 (52 Studs, 34 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 28, 2020
Summary: Cold with a low of 30 and high of 48
Animals gathered: 82 (43 Studs, 29 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 80 (34 Studs, 46 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 27, 2020
Summary: Cool with a low of 31 and high of 49
Animals gathered: 41 (22 Studs, 19 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
- 6-year-old bay stud with severe swayback was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
- 6-year-old bay stud missing a right eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
Jan. 26, 2020
Summary: Windy with a low of 31 and high of 46
Animals gathered: 65 (30 Studs, 35 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 78 (27 Studs, 47 Mares, 4 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 25, 2020
Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 34 and high of 48
Animals gathered: 82 (28 Studs, 50 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 41 (18 Studs, 23 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
- 9-year-old Grey mare with severe swayback was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
- 11-year-old Grey mare with a BCS of 1.5 was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 24, 2020
Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 33 and high of 54
Animals gathered: 44 (21 Studs, 23 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 34 (21 Studs, 13 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 23, 2020
Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 38 and high of 50
Animals gathered: 21 (9 Studs, 12 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 (26 Studs, 14 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 22, 2020
Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 20 and high of 48
Animals gathered: 27 (13 Studs, 14 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 42 (10 Studs, 32 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 5-year-old Sorrel mare missing eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 21, 2020
Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 25 and high of 42
Animals gathered: 53 (19 Studs, 34 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 84 (38 Studs, 46 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
- 7-year-old Sorrel stud missing right eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
- 8-year-old Bay mare with severe swayback was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 20, 2020
Summary: Overcast with a low of 28 and high of 44
Animals gathered: 89 (38 Studs, 51 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 83 (33 Studs, 50 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Jan. 19, 2020
Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 18 and high of 44
Animals gathered: 56 (25 Studs, 31 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 85 (36 Studs, 49 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
- 2-year-old Bay stud, BCS-2, emaciated and weak, was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 18, 2020
Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 14 and high of 42
Animals gathered: 112 (49 Studs, 63 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 129 (60 Studs, 69 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
- 2-year-old Sorrel mare, BCS-2, emaciated and weak, was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-70, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
- 2-year-old Bay stud, BCS-2, emaciated and weak, was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 17, 2020
Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 14 and high of 39
Animals gathered: 103 (42 Studs, 61 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
- 3-year-old Bay mare missing right eye was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
- 2-year-old Bay mare with swayback was euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to pre-existing condition with a poor prognosis for recovery
Jan. 16, 2020
Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 10 and high of 43
Animals gathered: 80 (40 Studs, 40 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0