BLM reports 34 horses died or were put down in roundup near Tuscarora in northeast Nevada

BLM: 34 horses dead in roundup in northeast Nevada

RENO, Nev. — Federal officials say 34 wild horses died or were euthanized during a roundup of animals from parched rangeland in northeastern Nevada.

Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman JoLynn Worley said Wednesday that 1,224 wild horses were collected in pens during the Tuscarora wild horse gather that concluded Monday outside the Rock Creek Herd Management Area in northern Elko County.

Worley says two more wild horses - a mare and a foal - were put down after they were found injured by a contractor herding about 28 wild horses away from a steep cliff.

The BLM characterizes its ongoing horse and burro roundups as emergency operations made necessary by drought and overpopulation on public and private lands.

Opponents say the policy aims to make room for livestock grazing and energy interests.