BLM photo

The Bureau of Land Management has captured 297 wild horses from the Big Sand Spring Valley portion of the Pancake Herd Management Area, about 30 miles west of Ely, Nevada.

The contractor used a hay and water trap to lure the horses. The round up ended Oct. 18.

“The BLM removed the horses due to ongoing drought conditions,” according to Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist. “Without emergency action, the condition of the horses was expected to deteriorate and potentially result in the death of some of the horses within a few weeks.”

The horses were taken to the BLM’s Indian Lakes off-range corrals in Fallon, Nevada, and will be put up for adoption.

BLM’s Appropriate Management Level for the Pancake Herd Management Area is 240-493. The agency says the current population is about 1,800 horses.