Foals and mares separated during the January 2017 roundup at the Sulphur Springs Herd Management Area in Utah. RTF file photo by Steve Paige.
As published by the Herald and News
SUSANVILLE, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is working closely with veterinarians to determine the cause of death for 22 wild horse foals that became ill this past week, while housed at the BLM’s Litchfield Corrals near Susanville, according to a news release.
The illness has affected only the foals that had been isolated in a single pen. There have been no signs of illness in the rest of the corral population of about 300 horses.
“Our contract veterinarian has collected blood and tissue samples that are now being analyzed,” said BLM Northern California District Manager Alan Bittner. “We hope to have the test results soon.”
Wranglers at the corrals first noticed signs of flu-like illness Monday, Oct 2, in a pen of 4- to 5-month-old horses. The symptoms spread rapidly through the pen and foals began dying later that week. The BLM halted adoptions of the foals when the illness was detected.
The affected foals were born at the corrals to mares that had been gathered last September from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory on the Modoc National Forest.
Previously:
Feds nailed for fumbling horse-sanctuary whoopsie, Oct. 4, 2017
53 mares to be released at Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory, Sept. 27, 2017
‘Oops’ is no defense, court says in nixing horse decision, Aug. 7, 2017
Federal court orders restoration of 23,000 acres for California wild horses, Aug. 6, 2017
Wild horse advocates, Forest Service face off over Devil’s Garden, Jan. 12, 2017
Wild horses get favorable hearing in battle with California ranchers, Jan. 11, 2017
Judges corral arguments over wild horse protections in remote California county, Jan. 6, 2017
Jan. 12 meeting set on Devil’s Garden, Calif., wild horse plan, Dec. 7, 2016
Devil’s Garden update: California wild horses ready for adoption, Nov. 29, 2016
Devil’s Garden Days Six & Seven: Roundup ends with 290 California wild horses captured, Oct. 2, 2016