Printed in the High Desert Advocate Edition September 3, 2021.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District, Wells Field Office and Ely District, Bristlecone Field Office concluded the FY2021 Antelope Complex emergency wild horse gather about 50 miles north of Ely, Nev., on Aug. 30, 2021. The BLM gathered and removed 2,192 wild horses from public lands.
The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild horses within and outside the Complex, where there was not enough water and/or forage to support the number of horses in the area, to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.
The gather was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals will enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. In addition, by balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.
“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the Complex, as well as the wild horses in the area, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation and exceptional drought conditions,” said Gerald Dixon, Elko District Manager.
The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the Palomino Valley Center Sparks NV, and Axtell Utah Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals, to be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. Wild horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Additional gather information is available on the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xMqe9.
