Editors Note: This is progress. In 2009, the BLM used helicopters to capture 366 wild horses and permanently remove 144 of them from their homes on the range. Three years later, the BLM used helicopters to remove 150 wild horses from the range. Now five years later, after a PZP birth control program in partnership with WildLovePreserve, the BLM is planning to use less traumatic bait trapping to remove just 50 wild horses from the range. Thanks to PZP, the population growth rate in this HMA has decreased, meaning a longer time between roundups AND 70% fewer horses removed. PZP works when you use it to #KeepWildHorsesWild and free on the range.
Federal officials say they plan to capture 150 wild horses starting later this month in central Idaho near Challis and remove about 50 for adoption.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management in a news release Tuesday says the capture will likely go through mid-April using a large-scale bait trap operation.
Officials say the Challis Wild Horse Herd Management Area is under a court decree to maintain wild horse numbers within appropriate management levels.
Officials say that number is up to 253 horses, but the current population is over 280 horses.
Horses selected for adoption will be sent to the Challis Wild Horse Corrals, and mares released back into the wild will be treated with a fertility control vaccine.
Officials say the management area also includes priority sage grouse habitat.
