Wild Mustang/Burro Campaigns

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We know that on a Monday afternoon you’re probably quite busy, but this is important: Today is the last day of our fundraising drive to bolster our critical Observation Fund, but as of right now, we’re still about $7,000 away from our $30,000 goal. Right now, helicopters are flying in California and are set to take off in Nevada soon, so we can’t afford to fall short. We still have time to make up this difference by the end of the day, but it’s going to take everyone reading this email pitching in whatever they can to help us get there — can we count on you to make a contribution to our Observation Fund before midnight tonight? DONATE NOW >> To read more about the critical role that observers play in our work, check out the email from Scott that we’ve forwarded below if you haven't already seen it. Raising these funds is the only way our team can document and call attention to the widespread abuse of horses and burros at these federal roundups — please pitch in if you are able to! DONATE NOW >> Thank you in advance for your help, AWHC Team ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Scott Wilson, Photoadvocate <contact@americanwildhorsecampaign.org> Date: Thurs, Sept 18, 2023 at 11:22 AM Subject: Why roundup documentation is so important To: <meredith@luckythreeranch.com> Hi Meredith – I’m Scott, a photoadvocate and spokesperson for the American Wild Horse Campaign. I reside in Colorado, and have been photographing the wild herds that roam the state’s public lands for a few years now. In 2021, I became heavily invested in this issue when I got word in that my local herd in Sand Wash Basin was going to be rounded up. To me, it felt personal – I had to do something. Together with advocates and local and national organizations, we worked hard to put a stop to the roundup. We garnered national media attention and got the ear of state and federal officials who tried to compel the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to call off the operation. Ultimately, the operation proceeded, but I take some solace in the fact that less horses were removed, and the agency told us that this herd will likely never face a helicopter stampede again. While on the ground at the operation, I documented everything – telling stories of triumph and escapes, reunifications and the ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: There is a month and a half left of the summer roundup season, and hundreds of wild horses are still being targeted for capture and removal. Right now, the United States Forest Service has helicopters in California’s Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory, and in just a few days, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will begin a new series of roundups in California and Nevada. That’s why today, we’re setting a goal of raising $30,000 for our Observation Fund by Monday so we’ll have the resources we need to document the upcoming roundups and fight back against the BLM’s terrible policies. Can you please rush a donation of whatever you can afford to our Observation Fund to help us hit our goal? RUSH A DONATION → Since July, the BLM has conducted 11 helicopter roundups in five states, and thanks to your support, we have been able to deploy our humane observers to the majority of them. Now, the BLM is set to begin its final three roundups of the season, and we plan to send our observers to document all of them. This is no easy task – these roundups occur in some of the most remote corners of the West, and getting our observers there and equipped is expensive, but it’s necessary. Starting Monday, BLM helicopters will take flight in the Surprise Complex, which comprises three Herd Management Areas (HMA) in California – the High Rock HMA, Fox Hog HMA, and Wall Canyon HMA. The agency plans to capture 494 wild horses and permanently remove 404 of them. Our observers will be the public’s eyes and ears on the ground, reporting back on what happens to our beloved herds during these often traumatic and potentially life-threatening operations. Our team will then disseminate their reports to the public, the media and to lawmakers on the Hill. There are so many people out there that don’t know what’s happening to wild horses, and we need to change that. These wild horses are counting on us to shine a light on the inhumane helicopter roundups conducted by the BLM and Forest Service. That’s why we’re asking you to join us today. Meredith, can you chip in to help us hit our $30,000 fundraising goal before these dangerous roundups start? RUSH A DONATION → Thank you for stepping up. The American Wild Horse Campaign ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: As you may recall, September is World Animal Remembrance Month. This time is dedicated to remembering all the animals who have touched our lives, but are no longer with us.  In that spirit, we want to take a moment to honor Bubba, Wyoming’s famed curly stallion who recently passed away.  We find solace in knowing that he died on the range, wild and free. Bubba was one of the lead stallions of the Salt Wells Creek herd in the Red Desert of Wyoming. He was known as a 'curly', carrying in his genes some of the most unique DNA in the world that produces a crimped mane and curly coat. In 2021, a large portion of Bubba’s family was torn apart when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a large-scale helicopter roundup in the habitat he and thousands of other mustangs called home. Bubba survived the roundup and remained free, but unfortunately sustained an injury to his knee. Bubba’s memory lives on, and his death strengthens our resolve to protect the family he has left behind.  Attorneys on behalf of the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) have filed suit against the BLM for its plan to eradicate the public lands that 43 percent of Wyoming’s wild horses inhabit. In fact, the BLM is planning on removing every single wild horse from the Salt Wells Creek herd, Bubba’s former home. We will not back down from this fight. The AWHC has been involved in critical litigation for more than a decade against the BLM to protect these herds – and now we face the final showdown. We must do what we can to save these wild horses. But we cannot do this critical work alone. In loving memory of Bubba and his legacy, will you please chip in to help support our litigation to keep horses like Bubba free? Your donation will go straight to work helping us save more wild horses and burros. DONATE → With the sadness of this beloved stallion’s passing, we press on. The American Wild Horse Campaign ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We've got a lot to share with you in this week's edition of eNews, including an action you can take to protect wild horses and burros on Capitol Hill, an insightful new op-ed from our Executive Director, Suzanne Roy, and the latest roundup reports from California and Colorado. Read on to learn more!  Tell Congress: Protect Wild Horses and Burros in the FY24 Spending Bill! As we witness wild horses being rounded up and removed from public lands this summer, it’s important to remember that we have a key opportunity to advocate for humane reforms to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program in Congress' Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill. Please take one moment to call on your members of Congress to support the language in this bill, which includes funding for humane, in-the-wild management strategies on behalf of our beloved wild horses and burros! TAKE ACTION Op-Ed: The best way to protect wild horses is through fertility control Photo by Laurie Ford Helicopter roundups are hugely expensive and inhumane, and because they don’t stabilize the population, they have to be done again and again. The best and proven way to protect wild horses is through fertility control. The best way to keep wild horses free on public lands is through fertility control. Wild horses deserve far better than cruel captures by helicopters, to then be placed in cramped government holding facilities. Read the latest from AWHC’s Executive Director, Suzanne Roy. READ MORE Report: Devil’s Garden Roundup Begins On September 4, while many Americans were taking a day of rest and relaxation, the Devil’s Garden wild horses were being forcefully removed from their habitat on more than 278,000-acres of public land in California. AWHC was on site to bring you the latest. READ MORE BLM Colorado Conducts Final Removal of West Douglas Mustangs Photo by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy    The West Douglas Herd Area (HA) is situated in the northwest region of Colorado, just like the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area (HMA). However, there is a difference between the two. While the Piceance HMA permits a maximum of 235 horses to reside there, the BLM has set the allowed population level of the West Douglas HA to 0. The BLM attributes this decision to the challenging terrain and limited summer range in the area. Interestingly, the agency still allows hundreds to thousands of ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: Yesterday, Americans across the country closed out the summer by spending time with their families and friends in celebration of Labor Day. But, did you know that yesterday was also National Wildlife Day? National Wildlife Day is a holiday to honor the wildlife living among us. That’s why we’re celebrating America’s wild horses and burros. Can you chip in to help fuel our work to keep these majestic animals free and in the wild where they belong? >> Photo by Tandin Chapman With the freedom of wild horses and burros under near constant threat, it’s our mission to be the voice speaking up for these majestic animals. Our dedicated team is showing up every single day in the field, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill, continuing our fight to uphold the promise to protect America’s wild horses and burros for generations to come. But we can’t do this important work without your help. If you’re with us in the fight to protect America’s wild horses and burros, will you make a donation of any amount to fuel our work today? CHIP IN → Thank you for your support, and Happy Belated National Wildlife Day! — AWHC Team ...