BLM says more than 600 wild horses in Nevada gathered during emergency roundup; 21 die
By APWednesday, July 21, 2010
BLM: More than 600 mustangs rounded up in Nevada
RENO, Nev. — Federal land managers said Wednesday that more than 600 wild horses in northeastern Nevada were gathered during an emergency roundup they say was necessary to prevent the animals from dying of thirst.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said 636 horses were rounded up near Tuscarora in northern Elko County. Of that total, 21 animals died.
Thirteen of the animals died of dehydration; five of pre-existing injuries or deformities and were destroyed; and three were put down after being injured in temporary holding corrals.
The mustangs will be placed for adoption or sent to long-term facilities.
Animal rights advocates went to court to try to halt the roundup, claiming it was inhumane to herd the horses by helicopter to trap sites in the summer heat. Advocates also contend the agency is removing the horses to make room for livestock grazing and energy interests.
A federal judge in Reno on Friday allowed the roundup to proceed after BLM officials said 500 horses could die on the range because water sources were drying up, leaving the animals weak and dehydrated.
State BLM Director Ron Wenker said that since July 12, the agency hauled more than 46,000 gallons of water to the mustangs to try to prevent potentially deadly complications of dehydration during the emergency roundup.
“The water we hauled saved the lives of hundreds of the wild horses we rescued,” Wenker said.
Agency officials said a roundup contractor will move to another area on Thursday, where the effort will focus on administering fertility control.
The BLM has said it plans to remove about 1,200 horses from three herd management areas in the region.
