Wild Mustang/Burro Campaigns

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: While our primary focus at the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is ensuring the conservation and lifelong freedom of wild horses and burros, we also support direct rescue efforts through our Rescue Fund. AWHC actively supports local rescue organizations across the West through capacity-building grants and direct rescue efforts, helping to save nearly 200 wild horses and burros who’ve been found in kill pens over the past few years. Many of these equines were in need of rescue thanks to the failure of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), which has funneled hundreds, if not thousands of these innocent animals into the slaughter pipeline. Our team is committed to combating this crisis on several fronts. We’re currently in court suing the BLM over the alleged illegal implementation of this disastrous program, and are working with our partners in Congress to pass legislation that bans both the slaughter of wild horses and burros and the foreign export of these equines for slaughter. But those fights take time. Our Rescue Fund is often the difference between life and death for wild horses and burros. Many of the direct rescue efforts we’ve supported have saved animals who were just hours from being shipped to slaughter.  That’s why this work is so important, and why we’ve set a major goal to recharge our Rescue Fund so we can continue these lifesaving efforts. We’re aiming to raise $25,000 by midnight on Thursday to help aid rescue efforts and to expand our support for local rescue partners across the country. Can you chip in to help us reach our goal? SUPPORT THE RESCUE FUND In addition to direct rescue efforts, our rescue fund awards capacity-building grants to local rescue organizations. For example, we recently provided a grant to our Colorado partner, For the Love of Aria, enabling them to purchase a squeeze chute – an indispensable tool for the care of wild horses and burros. This equipment proved essential during a critical surgery for a rescued mustang last month, leading to a successful outcome and a testament to how such grants make a tangible difference in the lives of these animals. These capacity-building grants do not merely save lives; they ensure that our partners can provide the necessary care to rehabilitate and nurture rescued wild horses and burros back to health. Your support for the AWHC Rescue Fund ...

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: On this day of love and admiration, we wanted to share a tale of devotion straight from the wild. Meet Cobra and Misty, two beautiful mustangs roaming the Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) in Utah. These two chose each other and only each other. They have been together ever since, a testament to the strong bonds our wild mustangs share.  Photo by Tandin Chapman This Valentine's Day, let us not only celebrate love's warmth but also recognize the struggles our wild horses and burros are facing due to government mismanagement. Let us stand together in advocating for their protection and the conservation of their habitat. So here's to Cobra and Misty, the epitome of true love in its purest form. May their love continue to inspire us all, reminding us that sometimes, all we need is someone to share our journey with. Happy Valentine’s Day! AWHC Team ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) has boots on the ground at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundups to educate the public and Congress about what happens to our wild horses and burros during these operations. This winter, we sent our trained observers to the recently-concluded East Pershing Complex roundup – the largest roundup planned for Fiscal Year 2024. Sadly, what they saw at the roundup underscores the desperate need for reforming the way our federal government manages wild horse and burro populations. TAKE ACTION The roundup began on December 28th and aimed to capture 2,875 wild horses from their homes on the 2.2 million acre Complex. The federal government contracted with Sampson Livestock for the roundup, which resulted in 2,692 wild horses being captured, including 1,082 stallions, 1,245 mares, and 365 foals. In addition, 26 wild horses were either euthanized or killed – including a young foal who was euthanized at the capture site for an injury he suffered while being chased and roped by BLM wranglers. That’s not all. In another shocking incident, our humane observers captured footage showing a wild mare being roped, hogtied, and left alone on the range before being dragged onto a trailer. These tragedies are not just distressing; they are a clear sign of the need for immediate reform. That’s why our team is working around the clock to support legislation that will implement reforms for wild horse and burro management, including the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023 introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV). This bill would finally prohibit the cruel use of helicopters during wild horse and burro roundups. Will you help us pass this monumental bill by urging your member of Congress to sign on as a cosponsor today? TAKE ACTION In addition to the danger they pose to these innocent animals, helicopter roundups are a grossly inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. Since 2017, the BLM has spent more than $25 million in taxpayer dollars for helicopter roundups. According to the agency itself, the cost to round up a horse from the range and warehouse the animal for life is up to $50,000.  There’s a better way. Please support Rep. Dina Titus’ efforts to END cruel helicopter roundups by urging your representative to support the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023! TAKE ACTION Thanks for stepping up for our wild herds, Team ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: there is a LOT of money behind wild horse and burro roundups. AWHC’s analysis of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracts filed over the past ten years shows that private livestock companies are making millions via their roundup contracts with the BLM. HELP US FIGHT BACK → According to our findings, as of 2022, livestock operators have received 89% of the BLM contract funds filed under “Wildhorse/Burro Control Services.” Contractors earn at least $800 per horse or burro per helicopter roundup – and from 2006-2022, they’ve made a total of $53.2 million from inhumane helicopter roundup and bait-trapping operations. But that’s not all: they’ve made an additional $87 million for short-term holding corrals from 2010-2022, and a staggering $333 million for long-term holding pastures from 2004-2022. And on top of profiting off these federal contracts, the livestock industry continues to lobby Congress to increase the cruel roundup and stockpile of America’s wild horses and burros so more of their livestock can graze at below-market rates — thanks to federal subsidies paid for by your hard-earned tax dollars. We’re up against very powerful interests with vast resources behind them. Your support is critical to helping us continue our work in the field, in court, and on Capitol Hill to secure the freedom of our wild herds. It’s going to take all of us standing up together to bring about the change these iconic animals desperately need. Can you make a contribution to power our work for wild horses and burros? DONATE → Thank you, Team AWHC ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We have a lot to share with you in this edition of eNews! Read on to learn about congressional action taken to protect wild horses, revealing insights on off-range holding facilities, and a direct action you can take to protect the McCullough Peaks wild horses.  Read on to learn more! Rep. Dina Titus Speaks Out for Wild Horses Last month, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) and Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) sent a letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) calling on the agency to reevaluate its mass roundup and removal plans for Fiscal Year 2024. The letter urges the agency to use humane in-the-wild conservation tools, including fertility control vaccines to keep wild horses in the wild, where they belong. Read the letter here. READ THE LETTER Records Reveal Impact of Off-Range Holding Facilities AWHC recently obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act that illuminate the impacts of the BLM’s off-range holding facilities. The records focus on the new Winnemucca Off-Range Corral, which has a capacity of 4,000 horses housed on 100 acres, and reveal that 23 horses died of botulism in 24 days. Read on to learn more. READ MORE McCullough Peaks Action Alert During the BLM’s McCullough Peaks capture operation, a beloved filly named Kat Ballou died after being trapped by the BLM. AWHC has sent a legal letter to the BLM demanding a halt to this operation and we need your help. Please take action and call for a halt to the BLM’s McCullough Peaks bait trap removal. TAKE ACTION Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros! — Team AWHC ...