BLM, University of Wyoming wild horse movement study progressing

The University of Wyoming, U.S. Geological Survey, and BLM have placed GPS tracking collars on 14 wild mares and returned them to the range for monitoring. BLM photo.

Edited BLM press release via The Horse

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the University of Wyoming have completed a portion of the Adobe Town Herd Management Area (HMA) research gather of wild mares with bait trapping.

The University of Wyoming, U.S. Geological Survey, and BLM have collared 14 wild mares for the movement study thus far. Collaring operations will continue at a later time as field conditions allow and until 20 collars are placed on mares for the study. All wild horses collected during the bait trapping gather were released back into the Adobe Town HMA.

The University of Wyoming will continue to monitor the radio collared mares over the next three years to observe the mare’s migration patterns and herd movements in the HMA. The results of this study will provide the BLM with new information ensuring that healthy wild horse herds continue to thrive on healthy rangelands.

“This study is another demonstration of BLM’s commitment to a healthy rangeland and to the management of wild horses on the range,” said Tim Wakefield, BLM High Desert District Manager. “We value our relationship with the University of Wyoming. These partnerships allow for the sustainable utilization of our public lands for future generations. With the information gathered from this study we will be able to make decisions based on good scientific information that will benefit all of the multiple uses that occur on our public lands.”

Additional information on the gather can be found at on.doi.gov/2ka71jt. The Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Environmental Assessment, along with project maps, can be found at bit.ly/2dNiwrQ.

Previously:

BLM, University of Wyoming begin wild horse tracking study, Feb. 6, 2017

Op-ed: ‘A solution for Red Desert wild horses,’ Dec. 9, 2016

‘BLM caught in middle of wild horse conflicts,’ Dec. 2, 2016

Tracking Wyoming’s wild horses, Nov. 18, 2016

‘No ambiguity’: Court tells BLM it cannot treat public land as private, Oct. 27, 2016

Analysis: Advocacy needs to connect horses to land, Oct. 24, 2016

Court: Feds broke law in wild horse roundup, Oct. 14, 2016

Press release: Landmark ruling stops BLM Wyo. wild horse wipeout, Oct. 14, 2016

Appeals court rules for wild horse advocates in 2014 Wyo. roundup case, Oct. 14, 2016

Appeals court: Roundup not required for overpopulated horses, Oct. 11, 2016

In major decision, 10th Circuit rules Wyoming can’t force BLM to remove wild horses, Oct. 11, 2016