Tag Archives: Wild Horse and Burro Program

Publications/Media

California Wild Burros Are under Attack

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“Genetic Crisis.” That is how renowned equine geneticist, Dr. E. Gus Cothran, assesses the vast majority of the BLM-managed wild burro populations still remaining on Western landscapes.

Dr. Cothran attributes this crisis to burro populations too small to be considered viable. Massive BLM roundups have reduced burro herds to such small numbers that inbreeding is inevitable. Destroying the genetic health of our remaining herds dooms them to inevitable extinction.

BLM California is mounting yet another aerial assault on these gentle animals. Helicopters will swoop down in an attempt to eliminate all burros from more than 560,000 acres of our BLM-managed public lands south and west of Death Valley: Centennial Herd Management Area, Slate Range, and Paramint Herd Areas. Nearly 1,000 burros will lose their freedom if this ill-conceived plan moves forward.

We need your voice! Please take action NOW to oppose to this horrific plan.

The Cloud Foundation Calls for Halting Roundups & Independent Audit of Wild Horse Program

The Cloud Foundation is calling on newly-confirmed Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to halt roundups and conduct an independent evaluation of the broken Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Record numbers of our wild horses and burros are currently warehoused in government holding facilities — more than 53,000 animals. By halting the roundups, we can work together to create win-win solutions and establish a fair and humane program that will benefit wild horses and burros, the range, and American taxpayers.

Read the press release.

This Is Why We Fight!

Sometimes, we all need a reminder of why we we’re in this fight. In honor of the California burros who stand to lose their freedom, we bring you a delightful short video. Burros are gentle, playful animals, as you can see. Enjoy!

The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.org

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Cloud Foundation Political Update: FY 2020 Budget Passes Senate, President Expected to Sign

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The US Senate has finished the House business by voting on the Fiscal Year 2020 spending bill, sending it to the President for his signature.

What does this mean for our wild herds?

While we held onto a strand of hope that the spending bill wouldn’t pass, our sources indicated that it would, and now we know it has. This bill included the additional $21 million allocated to BLM for the Wild Horse and Burro Program.

The Cloud Foundation’s concern is that all or most of the funds will be spent on perpetuating the broken system of violent helicopter roundups that destroy wild horse families; traumatize, injure, and sometimes kill horses; and sentence them to life in a pen unless adopted.

Tens of thousands of our wild horses and burros could be removed over the next 10 years. But we’re not giving up, and we will need you in this fight with us.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The additional $21 million is not available to BLM right away, and not without strings attached.
  • BLM needs to submit a “comprehensive and detailed plan for an aggressive and non-lethal population control strategy.”
  • Congress emphasized that BLM must adhere strictly to the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.
  • The BLM plan must be focused on treatment and retreatment of animals on the range, and on minimizing future removals.

While Congress seems to be willing to provide some amount of oversight for BLM, it will be up to advocates everywhere to hold the agency accountable. In 2020, we will be calling you to action – our horses and burros need your help, your action, and your voice, now more than ever.

The Cloud Foundation
107 South 7th St
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
www.thecloudfoundation.org

Breeds

BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program

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Americans are passionate about wild horses and burros, and there are many different, often conflicting, perspectives about how they should be managed. The BLM is committed to bridging these differences by working closely with our partners, stakeholders, the public and our employees to develop a strategy and find solutions that are best for wild horses and burros, wildlife, and the many other uses of the public lands. Over the next 60 days, we invite our interested stakeholders to offer their opinions and suggestions about the draft goals and objectives, as well as the series of possible management actions.

Please visit www.blm.gov for more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Strategy Development Document.

We value your input and look forward to any suggestions you may have to assist the BLM to improve the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Thank you for your interest and participation in this important effort.