BLM Offers $10K Reward in Nevada Wild Horse Killing

Straight from the Horse's Heart

Source: Multiple

“Although pleased that the BLM is taking the lead in investigating why a wild horse was murdered while in their care, it begs the question; why are we hearing this five months after the fact?  Something does not add up.” ~ R.T.

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Former wild horses imprisoned by the BLM photo by Terry Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

RENO, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Managementis offering a $10,000 reward in the investigation of the killing of a federally protected wild horse at a state prison camp near Carson City in early October.

BLM spokeswoman Jenny Lesieutre said Monday they need the public’s help to find the person or persons responsible for the shooting at Northern Nevada Correctional Center’s Stewart Camp Conservation Center.

The camp is home to about 1,500 BLM horses are kept as part of a training program used to gentle and train the animals before adoption.

The crime is punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Lesieutre she says few details are being released because it is an ongoing investigation in connection with state corrections officials.

Anyone with information should call BLM’s crime hotline at 1-800-521-6501.

Bouvry Exports' Prime Feedlot, Alberta, Canada

Animals' Angels


Date:
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 - 09:15
Investigation Category:
Horses


Investigators returned to Bouvry’s largest feedlot, which holds approximately 10,000 horses at any given time, to check if conditions had improved since their 2014 visit. Investigators noticed right away that the work force was very active as feed trucks were continuously keeping the troughs filled. Other workers were constantly driving around the lot, an activity that could only be described as patrols checking the feedlot for potential intruders. All activities were conducted via vehicle; at no time were workers observed checking the condition of the animals in the pen area on foot.

The horses were kept in pens segregated by mares with foals and geldings. There were approximately 100-200 horses in each pen, all soaking wet from the rain. Most of the horses had a BCS of 7-8 and had been fattened for quite some time. Many had overgrown hooves and were coughing continuously.

The horses had 1-2 numbers branded onto their right shoulder; some horses also had a U-shaped brand on their right hindquarter. Some of the more recent brands, especially on the younger horses, appeared infected. In some cases the burn was quite severe and large, red wounds were clearly visible.



Regarding the pen area, no improvement was noted since our investigators’ last visit. There was still no shelter of any kind for any of the animals and several of the pens appeared very crowded and covered in manure.

Only limited quantities of water was visible, which appeared to be insufficient for the number of horses kept in the pens. The horses were observed licking rain water off of each other and off of the fencing.



One of the large pens held three mares and their foals. Some straw was visible, but it was soaked from the heavy rain. One of the foals was repeatedly coughing. A draft horse with an overgrown left front hoof was limping badly. Another lame horse was seen in the same pen.

Several of the younger draft horses had strong nasal discharge. Investigators observed a young foal, lying down by itself outside of the pen area. It had eye discharge and was very weak on its legs. When the foal moved, it did so only very slowly as if the action was quite painful.



Investigators noted that there were five horses that had escaped the pen area and were wandering along the fence line. One of them, a bay, was limping.

Shortly after spotting this group of horses, investigators saw another horse that was severely limping and moving his head up and down when walking. A Paint horse was also struggling due to a club foot and was barely able to put weight on his left hind leg.



Investigators found two rib sections outside the pen area, which appeared to be from a horse. Several coyotes were also spotted roaming the area by investigators.

This recent investigation shows that Bouvry has made no improvements to their feedlot -- the horses still have no access to shelter and multiple horses with health concerns were found. It appears that the only thing Bouvry has invested in is an increased work force, hired to patrol the premises.



Animals’ Angels will continue to monitor Bouvry’s operations and report all findings to the EU Commission.

BLM Considers Wild Burro Agreement

Straight from the Horse's Heart

By HALEY WALTERS Today’s News-Herald

“A little bit of Wild Burro propaganda, maybe?!” ~ R.T.

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Wild burro captured by BLM ~ photo by Terry Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

The Bureau of Land Managementmay enter into an agreement withArizona Game and Fish Commission to team up on Arizona’s burro problem, following talks yesterday in Washington.

Senator John McCain, representatives from Game and Fish plus several county supervisors sat down to discuss the area’s relentless burro overpopulation and ways to combat it. Arizona Game and Fish submitted a proposal that is under consideration by the BLM.

“I look forward to BLM’s review of the proposal,” McCain said. “I also believe it’s time that Congress holds a hearing to examine the rapid growth of burro populations in Arizona. I look forward to continuing this conversation until a sustainable, long-term solution is agreed upon.”

The proposed solution would place more of the burro burden onto the Commission, alleviating the billion-dollar financial strain the management costs for burro management places on the BLM each year.

“The resolution includes burro capture, transports and an aggressive marketing campaign to adopt them out,” Mohave County Supervisor Steve Moss said. “It’s a very compassionate resolution if it works.”

McCain is expected to pursue an intergovernmental agreement that would validate this partnership and may pursue a possible special senate hearing to examine how federal law is impacting the situation. The Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 only permits the BLM to manage burro herds.

““It’s clear to all parties that the current incarnation of the federal government’s Wild Horse and Burro program is no longer effective and must be re-evaluated,” Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman Kurt Davis said. “The impact this non-native, feral animal is having on our native wildlife, our communities and taxpayers is only escalating and no longer can be shoved aside by the BLM.”

Moss said BLM officials don’t expect the capture-adopt method to completely solve the problem, but he and other stakeholders said they are in complete support of the measure if it slows the growth of burro populations.

“We’ll find out over the next several months and years if it has had an impact,” Moss said.

4 major wild horse & burro advocacy groups come out against BLM’s cruel plans to do sterilization research on wild mares (Mon., Feb 8th)

Straight from the Horse's Heart

Special action alert.  Join us on Monday, February 8th, 2016

6:00 pm PST … 7:00 pm MST … 8:00 pm CST … 9:00 pm EST

Listen to the live show (HERE!)

You can also listen to the show on your phone by calling (917) 388-4520.

This show will be archived so you can listen to it anytime.

_____________________________________________

Four major wild horse and burro advocacy groups and advocates are uniting to speak out against Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans for cruel sterilization experiments on wild mares (including pregnant mares).  The BLM extended the Environmental Assessment comment deadline until Feb. 10th, because American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) asked for and received additional documents that the BLM had not made available to the public.  AWHPC then requested additional time to review these documents.  (Information is given below so that after listening to this show, you can add YOUR comment to save the wild mares from these barbaric experiments.)

Our guests for this show include:

Suzanne Roy, Campaign Director, American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC)

Paula Todd King, Communications Director, The Cloud Foundation (Ginger Kathrens is in the Pryors, but she’ll try to call in)

Best-selling author Terri Farley (Wild at Heart: Mustangs and the Young People Fighting to Save Them)

Karen Sussman, Pres. of International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB)

Carol Walker, Dir. of Field Documentation for Wild Horse Freedom Federation

BLM’s heinous plans are to STERILIZE wild  horses, including “studies” (experimentation trials) using several methods on 225 wild mares: ovariectomy via colpotomy, tubal ligation, and hysteroscopically-guided laser ablation of the oviduct papilla.  The BLM is going to do this experimentation at BLM’s Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon, but will eventually do sterilizations out in the FIELD.

 

Leon Pielstick, DVM, inserting a chain ecraseur (and his arm) viacolpotomy incision

 A link to the Environmental Assessment is HERE.

Please submit your comments by Feb. 10th, by fax or email to the BLM Burns Office, with the heading:

Attention: Mare Sterilization Research

Mare Sterilization Research Project Lead

email to: blm_or_bu_mareresearchea@blm.gov

or Fax: (541) 573-4411

BLM Burns District Office:

Attention: Mare Sterilization Research

28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738

(You may only want to put your name and email address on your comment, since entire comments – including personal identifying information – may be published as part of the EA and Decision Record process.)

Be sure to listen to Jonathan Ratner of Western Watersheds Project,

  on Wild Horse & Burro Radio on Wed., Feb. 10th.

Tonight’s show is hosted by Debbie Coffey, V.P. and Dir. of Wild Horse Affairs forWild Horse Freedom Federation.

To contact us: ppj1@hush.com, or call 320-281-0585

TO LISTEN TO ALL ARCHIVED WILD HORSE & BURRO RADIO SHOWS, CLICK HERE.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/marti-oakley/2016/02/09/wild-horse-burro-radio-stop-blm-sterilization-research-on-wild-mares

1/20/16 – Carol Walker, Dir. of Field Documentation for Wild Horse Freedom Federation, on BLM’s plans to sterilize wild horse and burros.  Listen HERE.

1/27/16 – Marjorie Farabee, Dir. of Wild Burro Affairs, on threats to shoot wild burros in Arizona.  Listen HERE.

Sen. John McCain got it wrong about wild burros

Straight from the Horse's Heart

Unfortunately, Sen. McCain was misinformed if he thought there was an “exploding” burro population in Mohave County.  Wild burros are almost extinct in the United States due to mismanagement by the Bureau of Land Management.  You can contact Senator McCain HERE.

Source.  McCain.senate.gov

Senator McCain Urges Interior Department to Address Exploding Burro Population in Mohave County

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Interior Director Sally Jewell this week urging the agency to address problems with managing the exploding burro herd population in Mohave County, which are damaging lands from over-grazing, harming other wildlife, and causing numerous car accidents in the area.

“The Interior Department’s mismanagement of the [Black Mountain Burro Herd Management Plan] has resulted in significant unintended consequences for Mohave County,” writes Senator McCain. “For example, burros have devastated the areas’ natural resources by over-grazing the land, which has subsequently harmed native wildlife like quail, rabbits, and doves. Furthermore, burros have migrated into residential neighborhoods in search of food, posing a significant public safety hazard to the community. In just over two years’ time, the burros have been responsible for 24 car accidents in Bullhead City, Arizona… I strongly believe that any update to the Black Mountain HMA must address public safety and natural resources concerns.”

The signed letter is here and the text of the letter is below.

The Honorable Sally Jewell

Secretary

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20240

Dear Secretary Jewell:

I wish to bring to your attention the concerns of Mohave County, Arizona, regarding efforts by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to update the Black Mountain Burro Herd Management Plan.

As you know, Mohave County is home to the largest Herd Management Area (HMA) in Arizona, totaling approximately 1.1 million acres. The HMA was established in 1996 under BLM’s Black Mountain Ecosystem Plan at a time when HMA totaled just 478 head. However, reproduction rates have outpaced BLM’s ability to manage the herd. Today, the herd population in Mohave County has exploded to over 1,500 head while only 120 wild horses and burros are adopted each year on average.

The Interior Department’s mismanagement of the program has resulted in significant unintended consequences for Mohave County. For example, burros have devastated the areas’ natural resources by over-grazing the land, which has subsequently harmed native wildlife like quail, rabbits, and doves. Furthermore, burros have migrated into residential neighborhoods in search of food, posing a significant public safety hazard to the community. In just over two years’ time, the burros have been responsible for 24 car accidents in Bullhead City, Arizona (see attached).

Against this backdrop, I ask you to (1) indicate if you are aware of the public safety and natural resources concerns raised by Mohave County in connection with the Department’s mismanagement of burro herd populations in Mohave County; (2) outline a plan of action and associated milestones by which the Department intends to return burro population numbers to levels that can be more reasonably managed; and (3) identify what additional legislative authorities, if any, you need to address this problem.

I strongly believe that any update to the Black Mountain HMA must address public safety and natural resources concerns. The response you provide will be most appreciated, and I look forward to your timely reply.

Sincerely,

John McCain

United States Senator

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Permalink: http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/6/senator-john-mccain-urges-interior-department-to-address-exploding-burro-population-in-mohave-county

Related Files

• 6 25 15 McCain Letter to Interior Director re Mohave County Burro Herd Management Plan.pdf (1.4 MBs)

AZ Burros: Two Articles!

Mohave County Supervisors to discuss SHOOTING WILD BURROS on Jan. 19th at 9:30 am in KINGMAN, AZ

SOURCE:  WILD BURRO PROTECTION LEAGUE

Black Mountain wild burros (photo: Marjorie Farabee)

by Marjorie Farabee, Dir. of Wild Burro Affairs, Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Shooting our wild burros is not an option!   (ACTION ALERT BELOW)

The threat:

“District 5 Sup. Steve Moss is asking staff to contact the Bureau of Land Management to reduce the burro population to 817. One option is to seek legislation to allow state agencies to issue hunting permits to bring the population under control.  Another option is to file a lawsuit against BLM.”

However, the fact is:

The Bullhead Parkway is in between the burros and the river, where the burros need to get water to survive.

Map showing that Bullhead Parkway is in between the burros and the river.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/B…

“Three burros were killed Dec. 27 in two separate incidents on the Bullhead Parkway.  Both drivers were unhurt but their cars were heavily damaged.  Another burro had to be euthanized after it collided with a car in February 2015, also on the Parkway.  A herd of about nine burros have recently been seen on the Parkway grazing on the side of the road and in the center median.”

The title of the article below should read: Supervisors vex wild burros!

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/…/article_2f6ceeb0-b9c4-11e5…

ACTION ALERT:  What you can do:

Let the Mohave County Supervisors know that the burros are important to preserve.  Call them and politely explain why the burros should be protected.  Provide solutions.  Explain why the burros are important to protect.  Let them know about alternatives such as overpasses and underpasses to get to the Colorado river.  While these provisions are being built, they can provide stock tanks to keep the burros from crossing.

Those of you who live close to Kingman should go to this meeting and speak up for our burros.  The few remaining wild burros need you NOW.  Meeting Tuesday morning (1/19/16) at 9:30 a.m.

From the Mohave County Supervisor’s Agenda:

“Those wishing to address the Board at the Call to the Public regarding matters not on the Board agenda must fill out and submit to the Clerk a Call to the Public – Request to Speak Form located in the back of the room prior to the meeting. Action taken as a result of public comments will be limited to responding to criticism, referral to staff, or placing a matter on a future Agenda. Comments are restricted to items not on the Regular Agenda with the exception of the Consent Agenda, and must relate to matters within the jurisdiction of the Board.”

MOHAVE COUNTY SUPERVISOR BOARD:
700 West Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86402-7000

Clerk of the Board Ginny Anderson
Telephone (928) 753-0731
FAX(928) 753-0732                                                                                                                                                                                                      TDD– (928) 753-0726

District 1 Gary Watson (928) 753-0722
District 2 Hildy Angius (928) 758-0713
District 3 Buster D. Johnson (928) 453-0724
District 4 Jean Bishop (928) 753-8618
District 5 Steven Moss (928) 758-0739
Kingman, Arizona 86402-7000
Website –www.mohavecounty.us

Mohave County AZ Supervisor Proposes Wild Burro Hunting

Haley Walters Today’s News-Herald

“The article, below, is unedited but please read with your eyes wide open as the numbers are skewed, again, and the bulk of the content is pure, unadulterated anti-burro propaganda.  We need people at the meeting on the 19th!” ~ R.T.

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Supervisor Steve Moss says he wants to force BLM into action to control burro herd numbers

Highway along Colorado river has NO wildlife underpass or crossing

Mohave County District Supervisor Steve Moss is proposing hunting licenses to offset the over-abundant burro population in the area.

The Bureau of Land Management estimates there are between 1,400 and 1,800 burros in Mohave County, and supervisors said they want to see that number reduced to 817. This is still well above BLM’s recommendation of 478 burros for the region.

The proposal is on the agenda for Tuesday’s county supervisor meeting, but Moss said it was placed as a way to spark a reaction from the BLM.

“No one truly wants to hunt Burros, including the board of supervisors. And even if we did, neither the local nor state government has the power to issue permits,” Moss’s office said in a statement. “What we want is the BLM to come up with a solution, regardless of what it might be. We are hoping that the ‘shock’ value of the agenda item will motivate the BLM to direct the funding required towards adoption, sterilization, removal and relocation, fencing, etc. programs.”

Moss said if the BLM does not take long-term action to control the burro population, the county will pursue legal action against the Bureau for not carrying out its statutory duties outlined in The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.

“With that law, the federal government tied our hands as far as what we could do to control the burro population and gave the authority over to the BLM,” Moss said. “The legislation says it’s the BLM’s responsibility to control the burro herds but they’ve broken that promise and they’re not taking care of it.”

BLM Public Affairs Specialist Jayson Barangan said efforts to manage burro numbers have already been enacted, but it takes time to find the right solution.

“The situation [in Mohave County] has had our attention for a while and I think that with our toolkit and with our partnerships we’re trying to find a balanced approach to manage these animals,” Barangan said.

The BLM routinely rounds up wild burros for its Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro Program, and is currently conducting an environmental analysis to study the feasibility of antifertility inoculations.

“We’re working with some partners on a trial run on some fertility treatments of animals, but that hasn’t been set in stone yet,” Barangan said.

Still, Moss remains unimpressed with the BLM’s “token efforts” to control the burro population in the wake of numerous motorcycle and vehicle accidents involving burros.

“It’s only a matter of time until a burro goes through someone’s windshield and kills a family,” Moss said.

The BLM has placed fencing along Mohave County highways to dissuade burros from wandering into traffic, but the county still has the largest burro herd in the U.S., which is running out of space to roam.

“There is plenty of BLM land they can relocate the burros to,” Moss said. “I hope the BLM does that, or anything else, to get the local numbers under control as the current population is out of whack from what the habitat can support and is threatening public safety as the numbers are forcing the Burros to expand their range into Bullhead City and occupied subdivisions.”

The meeting will be held at the County Administration Building in Kingman on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.