Taken form blm.gov Updated as of September 4, 2012 Wild Horse and Burro Population The Bureau of Land Management estimates that approximately 37,300 wild horses and burros (about 31,500 horses and 5,800 burros) are roaming on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states, based on the latest data available, compiled as of February 29, 2012. Wild horses and burros have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the agency must remove thousands of animals from the range each year to control herd sizes. The estimated current free-roaming population exceeds by nearly 11,000 the number that the BLM has determined can exist in balance with other public rangeland resources and uses. The maximum appropriate management level (AML) is approximately 26,500. Off the range, there are more than 47,000 other wild horses and burros that are fed and cared for at short-term corrals and long-term pastures. (As of August 2012, there were 13,800 in corrals and 33,600 horses in Midwestern pastures.) All wild horses and burros in holding, like those roaming Western public rangelands, are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Wild Horse and Burro Acreage In 1971, when Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, these animals were found roaming across 53.8 million acres known as Herd Areas, of which 42.4 million acres were under the BLM's jurisdiction. Today the BLM manages wild horses and burros in 179 subsets of these Herd Areas (known as Herd Management Areas) that comprise 31.6 million acres, of which 26.9 million acres are under BLM management. For the answer to the question "What happened to the 'missing' 22.2 million acres on which wild horses and burros were found roaming?," see below. Also, it should be noted that under the 1971 Act, horses and burros may not be re-located to other public lands where they were not found roaming when the law was passed. Wild Horse and Burro Budget In the most recently completed fiscal year (FY 2011), holding costs accounted for $35.7 million (47 percent) out of a total enacted Wild Horse and Burro Program budget of $75.8 million. Gathers and removals cost $8.7 million, and adoption events cost $7.3 million. Removing Wild Horses and Burros from the Range and Placing Animals in Adoption To help ensure that herd sizes are in balance with other public rangeland resources and uses, the BLM removed 8,877 animals (8,464 horses and 413 burros) from the range in Fiscal Year 2011. The Bureau placed 2,844 removed animals into private care through adoption in FY 2011 -- down from 5,701 in FY 2005. Since 1971, the BLM has adopted out more than 230,000 horses and burros. For more information about adoptions, please visit How to Adopt and the national adoption schedule. The information above was taken from the Bureau of Land Management's website. Visit it at blm.gov | A Rewarding Experience The BLM uses its Adoption Program as the primary tool to place these iconic animals into private care. The horses and burros available for adoption come from overpopulated Herd Management Areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals, including wildlife and livestock, use the area. Many people have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt a wild horse or burro. Additionally, it is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. The BLM has placed more than 230,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971. Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses. After properly caring for an animal for one year, an adopter is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government. A list of common questions and answers related to adoptions is available at the How to Adopt page. For more information on BLM adoptions and locations, please visit theadoption schedule. To apply to adopt a wild horse or burro, go to the BLM's adoption application. If you are interested in adopting directly from one of the BLM's holding facilities, or over the Internet, visit the agency's facilities page. You also can adopt through the Mustang Heritage Foundation's Extreme Mustang Makeover Events. Adopters often have questions about caring for their wild horse or burro. Contact your local farrier, veterinarian, or horse trainer for more information. The Mustang Heritage Foundation's Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) is an additional resource for finding horse trainers. If you can't adopt but still want to help, you can volunteer, serve on advisory committees, or donate funds to assist wild horses and burros. More details are available at the Get Involved section. The information above was taken from the Bureau of Land Management's website. Visit it at blm.gov |
