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Wild Mustang/Burro Campaigns


Educational Links:
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www.wildhorseeducation.org

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Delving into the rich history of America’s iconic wild horse herds

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: Wild horses are deeply interwoven into the fabric of the American West. Yet, many people are unaware of the long history these iconic animals have in the United States. Today, we’d like to tell you about a little wild horse history, but first, please consider chipping in to help power our work to protect our wild herds! >> POWER OUR WORK Origins Photo by Kimerlee Curyl America’s wild horses are considered a native re-introduced species. A native reintroduced species is a species that at some point became locally extinct in its indigenous lands, but eventually returned, either on its own or by being reintroduced back to the land by human beings. This is what happened to America’s wild horses. Wild horses began to evolve and grow on the North American continent millions of years ago. In fact, the forerunner to the modern horse was traced to the Tennessee Valley. During glacial periods, when the sea level would drop, wild horses would move back and forth across the Bering Land Bridge into Siberia. About 12,000 years ago, the wild horses of North America went locally extinct, but they were not globally extinct.  On the contrary, wild horses thrived in Asia and were eventually domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago. The domestication of horses spread throughout Asia and Europe. Finally, when Europeans came to North America in the 1500s, they brought their horses with them, re-introducing a native species back to its place of origin! America’s Disappearing Wild Horses Photo by Kimerlee Curyl In the 19th century, the population of wild horses in America was estimated to have reached more than two million. But by the time the wild horse received federal protection in 1971, it was officially estimated that only about 17,000 of them roamed America's western lands. More than 1 million had been conscripted for World War I combat; the rest had been hunted for slaughter, and even for the sport of it. These innocent animals were chased by helicopters and sprayed with buckshot; they were run down by motorized vehicles and, deathly exhausted, weighted with tires so they could be easily picked up by rendering trucks. They were run off cliffs, gunned down at full gallop, shot in corralled bloodbaths, and buried in mass graves. This horror brought America’s wild horses to the brink of extinction until one woman decided to take action… The Beginning of Wild Horse Conservation Velma ...

The BLM just unveiled its proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget as part of the President’s FY25 budget.    The proposed budget calls for a $29 million increase in funding for the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This includes $15 million for a permanent sterilization program and 20 new full-time employees to implement it. If enacted, the plan could have far-reaching, extinction-level consequences for the nation’s wild horse and burro population.  The proposal fails to disclose the methods of sterilization that will be utilized. Previous methods proposed by the BLM have included the surgical castration of males and surgical removal of mares’ ovaries (ovariectomy).  American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) strongly objects to a mass permanent sterilization program because it contradicts the BLM’s mandate under federal law to protect America’s wild horses in self-sustaining, free-roaming herds. It also contradicts recent Congressional directives to “implement a robust and humane fertility control strategy of reversible immunocontraceptive vaccines.” In fact, the proposal comes just days after Congress cut the BLM’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget by $5.9 million while preserving $11 million in funding for the implementation of humane reversible, fertility control vaccine programs. We believe that the BLM should deliver on existing commitments to expand humane fertility control, rather than waste Congress’ time and taxpayer money on a far-fetched scheme to destroy the nation’s wild horse and burro populations by mass sterilization. This plan requires far more transparency and Congressional scrutiny and thankfully, there is a long Congressional review process ahead before the BLM’s proposal could become law.  Please be assured that AWHC will deploy all necessary resources to prevent any mass, permanent sterilization plan from becoming law.  For over a decade, we’ve been in court challenging the BLM over permanent sterilization, a practice that not only undermines genetic viability but also disrupts natural behaviors and the social organization essential for the survival of wild herds. At the same time, we’re on Capitol Hill advocating in Congress for legislation mandating the BLM to adopt humane and sustainable approaches that prioritize reversible fertility control. And, we’ve been in the field proving that this approach is effective through our Virginia Range fertility control initiative in Nevada. This year, a study based on our Virginia Range data, published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Vaccines, affirms the feasibility and effectiveness of fertility control darting in a large wild horse population inhabiting a large habitat area.  Our ...

This week’s eNews: Take action for Wyoming’s White Mountain wild horses >>

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We have a lot of information to share with you in this week’s edition of eNews! Please read on for an opportunity to speak out for Wyoming’s White Mountain wild horses, an important update about the president’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024, and a celebration of our National Day of Action. Read on to learn more! The horses who call Wyoming's White Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) home need your help! The White Mountain HMA is home to beautiful paints, bays, sorrels, and roans. These wild horses live on nearly 400,000 acres of public and private lands and yet the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) allows for an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of just 205-300 wild horses. The agency recently released its plans to remove 586 White Mountain horses, bringing the population down to the low AML of 205 horses, leaving just one horse per 1,917 acres! Click here to sign on our petition and speak up for this spectaular herd! SPEAK UP FOR WYOMING’S WILD HORSES NOW! Congress Tells BLM: Fewer Roundups, More Humane Fertility Control This past weekend, President Joe Biden signed into law a $460 billion package of Fiscal Year (FY) 24 spending bills, narrowly averting a government shutdown. Among the provisions was a significant spending cut for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program budget, emphasizing the need for a shift towards humane, more compassionate and sustainable conservation strategies. Notably, the legislation preserves $11 million in funding specifically designated for the implementation of a robust, and humane fertility control program, as advocated by both House and Senate versions of the bill. Click here to read our press release. READ OUR PRESS RELEASE National Day of Action On March 1st, American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) orchestrated a nationwide day of action to mark National Horse Protection Day. The objective was clear: urge Congress to implement reform measures to ensure the conservation of wild horses and burros across the nation. Throughout our advocacy efforts, over 23,000 letters were sent to congressional offices, highlighting the widespread support for change among the public! Click here to read our recent blog post about the day of action. READ THE BLOG Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros! — Team AWHC ...

Celebrating Our Lead Mares on International Women’s Day

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: Happy International Women's Day! Today, as we celebrate the monumental strides women have made across all sectors of society, our team at American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is especially proud to shine a spotlight on our lead mares – the incredible women leading the charge for sustainable, humane wild horse and burro conservation. In the vast expanse of the American West, lead mares play a pivotal role within wild horse bands. These matriarchs don't just represent physical beauty and strength; they are the emotional backbone of their herds and the keepers of wisdom passed down through the generations. Just as the wild has its lead mares, guiding with wisdom and strength, AWHC is steered by visionary women who embody these very qualities! Eleanor Phipps Price: Co-Chair, AWHC Board of Directors Ellie Price is the founding board member of AWHC and a true champion for wild horses and burros. Much like the lead mare, Ellie has steered AWHC through the years with a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to our cause. As the owner of Dunstan Wines at Durell Vineyard in Sonoma County and a dedicated philanthropist, she brings business expertise and political savvy to our organization. Ellie is the founder of Montgomery Creek Ranch, a 2,000-acre Northern California wild horse sanctuary providing refuge to more than 250 mustangs and burros rescued from the brink of slaughter. Ellie's passion, vision, and leadership are irreplaceable as AWHC continues to evolve as the nation's foremost wild horse conservation organization. Patricia Miller: Co-Chair, AWHC Board of Directors Next, we’d like to spotlight Patricia Miller, who co-chairs the AWHC Board of Directors with Ellie. Patricia's journey from a visionary in the corporate world to a champion for nature and animals reflects the multifaceted role of a lead mare. As CEO of M4 Factory, she is an innovative leader in the field of regenerative, sustainable consumer product manufacturing and design. And as the Founder of Irving & Judd, she is defining a Factory-to-Consumer business model with small batch consumer goods, a vertically integrated supply chain, and regenerative design. Her innovative approach to sustainability and her passionate advocacy for all sentient beings are instrumental in helping advance AWHC's mission and guiding our evolution and growth. Patricia's leadership is helping us shape the future of wild horse and burro conservation. Suzanne Roy: AWHC Executive Director And ...

Over 1,000 foals

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: This winter roundup season has been relentless. In just four months, the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) capture operations have resulted in the deaths of 71 innocent wild horses and the removal of over 7,000 animals from their natural habitats – including more than 1,000 foals.  Among those captured is Thora, a beautiful six-month-old filly from the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area. Thora, alongside companions Tabasco, Trinity, and Juniper, was separated from her mother last month. Despite massive public outcry, the agency plowed ahead with the controversial roundup, which has already taken its toll with the death of the filly Kat Ballou. She suffered a fatal head injury last month after she had been separated from her mother and left unattended in a capture pen. These tragedies are emblematic of the broader, deepening crisis affecting our nation's wild horse and burro populations. Thora is just one out of thousands of vulnerable foals who have been removed from their homes and are now languishing in holding facilities. Many more are in danger as the BLM presses ahead with its roundups. That’s why AWHC’s observation program is so important. To document these roundups and ensure no death or abuse goes unrecorded, AWHC has assembled and trained a team of photographers and videographers who are deployed to some of the most remote corners of the West where these operations occur. The evidence they collect helps us establish an irrefutable pattern of cruelty to prove to members of Congress, the media, and the public that change is desperately needed. And it’s working. The public’s awareness of the plight of wild horses and burros has never been greater. In fact, our grassroots army recently mobilized and sent 23,000 letters to Congress calling for a ban on helicopter roundups. Our observation program is supported by the generosity of wild-horse champions like you. We need your help to ensure that the world knows what’s happening to foals like Thora and the thousands of others who are rounded up. Will you contribute today to fuel our Observation Fund and ensure no animal welfare violations go unrecorded? PROTECT WILD FOALS Oftentimes, our representatives are the ONLY ones on site to document any violations taking place. Our observers were present at the East Pershing complex roundup where they documented the capture of 365 foals and the dangerous conditions they faced. They saw firsthand the physical toll on these ...