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Callaghan
Complex,
Nevada
, Wild Horse Gathers
The first part of Callaghan Complex wild horse gather concluded
Dec. 22 for
a
break during the holidays. The
gather is expected to resume on Jan. 3 on
the
western portion of the Callaghan Herd Management Area (HMA) and then on
to
the New Pass/Ravenswood HMA.
Goal
of Gather
The
BLM’s goal is to manage for healthy populations of wild horses within
the Callaghan, Rocky Hills,
Bald
Mountain
(Callaghan Complex) and New Pass/Ravenswood HMAs and ensure healthy
rangelands. To accomplish these goals, the Mount Lewis Field Office (MLFO)
is proposing to conduct a wild horse gather to apply fertility control to
mares and remove excess wild horses from the Callaghan Complex and New
Pass/Ravenswood HMA. By gathering these HMAs in 2010 before the population
has greatly exceeded AML, and re-treating these mares with fertility
control, the BLM hopes to continue to slow population growth, maintain
wild horse population levels below the established AML, and reduce or
eliminate the numbers of wild horses that would need to be removed from
the range in future years, particularly older animals that would have to
be maintained in LTHPs.
Details
of the Gather
Under
the Proposed Action, about 866 wild horses would be gathered from within
and outside the Callaghan Complex and New Pass Ravenswood HMA. The
proposed gather would be completed in accordance with the Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) located in Appendix A. The BLM intends to
return to these areas in 2-3 years to retreat mares to continue with
population control activities as well as to remove excess wild horses as
specified in this EA. Approximately 221 excess wild horses, mostly weaned
foals and yearlings, and any wild horses residing outside of the HMA
boundaries would be removed from the range. Approximately 645 of the
captured wild horses would be released; of these, about 323 would be mares
treated with fertility control vaccine. The post gather population would
be about 862 wild horses.
More detail is available by accessing the
Documents and Maps link in the right column. Public observations days will
be scheduled and announced with details about the media and the public
attending the gather.
Adoption
Excess wild horses and burros removed
from the range are offered for adoption to qualified people through the
BLM’s Adopt-a-Horse or Burro Program. Potential adopters must have the
proper facilities and financial means to care for an adopted animal, and
we always hope that they have experience working with a wild horse or
burro, which will help ensure the gentling process.
During the first year, the government
retains title to the animal(s), and will conduct compliance checks
throughout the year in an effort to ensure as much as possible that the
animal is properly being cared for and has gone to a good home. At the end
of the first year, if the adopter has complied with all the adoption
stipulations and has properly cared for their mustang or burro for one
year, he or she is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the
Federal government.
The BLM has placed nearly 225,000 wild horses and burros into
private care since the adoption program began in 1971. To apply to adopt a
wild horse or burro on-line, please go to the BLM's adoption website at:www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/What_We_Do/wild_horse_and_burro0.html
If you are interested in adopting
directly from one of the BLM's holding facilities, please visit the
agency's facilities page. For more information about the BLM’s
Adopt-A-Horse or Burro program, please visit
www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html,
or you may call 1-866-468-7826 with any questions about the BLM’s Wild
Horse and Burro Program.
Check
the website for updates:
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field/blm_programs/wild_horse
_and_burro/callaghan_new_pass.html
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