Wild horses captured during an eight-day helicopter roundup on the Desatoya Herd Management Area. BLM photo.

The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday completed an eight-day helicopter roundup on the Desatoya Mountain Herd Management Area in Nevada.

A total of 456 wild horses were captured. One death was reported: A six-year-old stud euthanized because of a club foot.

Twenty-five wild horses —  10 mares treated with fertility control and 15 stallions — were released.

Captured horses were transported to the >Palomino Valley Center in Reno, Nevada, to be readied for the BLM’s adoption and sale program.

After the roundup, as estimated 127 wild horses remain on the 161,67

8-acre Herd Management Area. The HMA has a BLM-set “Appropriate Management Level” of 127-180 or as low as one horse for every 1,273 acres.

BLM’s stated purpose for the roundup was to “prevent degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.”

The HMA overlaps 84% of a 230,000-acre habitat restoration project in the Desatoya Mountain Range. The HMA also overlaps the Desatoya and Reese River sage-grouse population management units, Desatoya Wilderness Study Area and five livestock grazing allotments. The restoration project includes three grazing allotments on which up to 1,805 cattle are grazed seasonally.

For BLM’s planning documents, click here.

Take Action: Tell Congress that BLM, USFS should analyze all public land impacts,  allocate equitable share of resources to wild horses, burros