Officials Capture More Wild Horses in Dry Western States
2021-08-09
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1U.S. land managers have begun efforts to capture about 50 percent more wild horses than originally planned this year because of severe drought across the U.S. West.
2That means they will capture about 6,000 additional animals, mostly in the western states of Nevada, Oregon and Colorado.
3The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, said the emergency roundups, or mass capture, began Sunday in Oregon and Monday in Nevada.
4The BLM actions are centered on places where long-term overpopulation of the herds "already has stretched the available food and water to its limits."
5Nada Wolff Culver is the bureau's deputy director for policy and programs.
6She said, "As one of the agencies charged with the responsibility to protect and manage America's wild horses and burros, the BLM is prepared to take emergency action where we can in order to save the lives of these cherished animals."
7In announcing the effort Monday, Culver said the agency goal is "continuing our efforts to reduce overpopulation across the West."
8That means having healthy herd sizes that can live through severe conditions like long periods of drought.
9She noted that droughts "are becoming more frequent due to climate change."
10Those who advocate for the wild horses say that the BLM action comes from pressure from cattle ranchers, who want to keep the food and water for their livestock.
11Horses compete with cattle for the same plants and watering places.
12Laura Leigh is president of the nonprofit group Wild Horse Education.
13She said she is unhappy that the Biden administration is continuing the policies of former President Donald Trump and previous administrations.
14They removed the protected horses, but did not limit the number of cattle and sheep grazing on the same land.
15Leigh does not believe the administration's claim to care about the environment and wild animals.
16While ranchers are harming the land, "we blame the horse," she said.
17Kaitlynn Glover is executive director of resources for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
18She said ranchers have already made voluntary changes to reduce their use of federal lands for feeding their cattle.
19She noted that the current drought is more severe than in recent years.
20Culver said in an email to The Associated Press that the removal of the horses is important to the health of both the horses and the land.
21"Even in times where resources are plentiful, these overpopulated herds cause serious damage to the landscape," she wrote.
22The bureau says the estimated 86,000 free-roaming horses and burros on federal lands is three times larger than what the environment can support. Animal advocates disagree.
23About 1,400 of the captured animals may be returned to the wild after they receive birth control drugs.
24Culver noted that the BLM announced last week that it was taking steps to make certain that any horses taken in by individuals are treated well.
25In the past, some were sold to be killed for their meat.
26Horse advocates welcomed efforts to more strictly control the process, but said the reforms don't go far enough.
27They fear that horses will still end up being killed as long as the government offers $1,000 cash to people who take the animals.
28U.S. Representative Dina Titus is a Nevada Democrat.
29She said the problems with wild horses show poor management by BLM.
30She added that she "led an effort to provide funding... for safe and humane birth control."
31I'm Jill Robbins.
1U.S. land managers have begun efforts to capture about 50 percent more wild horses than originally planned this year because of severe drought across the U.S. West. That means they will capture about 6,000 additional animals, mostly in the western states of Nevada, Oregon and Colorado. 2The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, said the emergency roundups, or mass capture, began Sunday in Oregon and Monday in Nevada. The BLM actions are centered on places where long-term overpopulation of the herds "already has stretched the available food and water to its limits." 3Nada Wolff Culver is the bureau's deputy director for policy and programs. She said, "As one of the agencies charged with the responsibility to protect and manage America's wild horses and burros, the BLM is prepared to take emergency action where we can in order to save the lives of these cherished animals." 4In announcing the effort Monday, Culver said the agency goal is "continuing our efforts to reduce overpopulation across the West." That means having healthy herd sizes that can live through severe conditions like long periods of drought. She noted that droughts "are becoming more frequent due to climate change." 5Those who advocate for the wild horses say that the BLM action comes from pressure from cattle ranchers, who want to keep the food and water for their livestock. Horses compete with cattle for the same plants and watering places. 6"Blame the horse" 7Laura Leigh is president of the nonprofit group Wild Horse Education. She said she is unhappy that the Biden administration is continuing the policies of former President Donald Trump and previous administrations. They removed the protected horses, but did not limit the number of cattle and sheep grazing on the same land. Leigh does not believe the administration's claim to care about the environment and wild animals. While ranchers are harming the land, "we blame the horse," she said. 8Kaitlynn Glover is executive director of resources for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. She said ranchers have already made voluntary changes to reduce their use of federal lands for feeding their cattle. She noted that the current drought is more severe than in recent years. 9Culver said in an email to The Associated Press that the removal of the horses is important to the health of both the horses and the land. 10"Even in times where resources are plentiful, these overpopulated herds cause serious damage to the landscape," she wrote. 11More than the environment can support 12The bureau says the estimated 86,000 free-roaming horses and burros on federal lands is three times larger than what the environment can support. Animal advocates disagree. 13About 1,400 of the captured animals may be returned to the wild after they receive birth control drugs. 14Culver noted that the BLM announced last week that it was taking steps to make certain that any horses taken in by individuals are treated well. In the past, some were sold to be killed for their meat. 15Horse advocates welcomed efforts to more strictly control the process, but said the reforms don't go far enough. They fear that horses will still end up being killed as long as the government offers $1,000 cash to people who take the animals. 16U.S. Representative Dina Titus is a Nevada Democrat. She said the problems with wild horses show poor management by BLM. She added that she "led an effort to provide funding... for safe and humane birth control." 17I'm Jill Robbins. 18Scott Sonner reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 19_________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21drought - n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain 22herd - n. a group of animals that live or are kept together 23deputy - n. an important assistant who helps the leader of a government or organization 24burro -n. a small donkey 25cherished - adj. greatly loved 26advocate - v. argue for or support a cause or policy 27cattle - n. cows, bulls, or steers that are kept on a farm or ranch for meat or milk 28rancher - n. a person who lives or works on a ranch 29What do you think of this management of wild horses? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.