Eight wild horses were captured in helicopter drive trapping on Saturday at the Frisco Horse Management Area in Utah.
One of the eight pulled up short of the trap, turned, then charged under the contractor’s helicopter (see the third and fourth photo below). A Judas horse: a horse trained to lead wild horses was sent out to draw the wild horse into the trap.
Sixty-six wild horses have been captured since the roundup began on Jan. 6, according to the Bureau of Land Management. No deaths have been reported during the roundup, which has been grounded several times due to winter weather.
BLM plans to capture 150 wild horses, permanently removing 90 from their home range. Some will be returned to the range fitted with radio collars and global positioning system tracking devices as part of a population-control experiment.
Wild horses not returned to the HMA with radio collars are to be made available for adoption, according to BLM. Those not adopted will be sent to long-term holding facilities.
Members of the public interested in viewing the Frisco roundup should call the BLM gather hotline: (801) 539-4050. Participants must provide their own transportation (four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles are recommended), as well as their own water and food. They should wear clothing suitable for harsh winter conditions.
Photos from Jan. 14:
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You can help:
Please consider a contribution to the Wild Horse Defense Fund, which makes it possible for RTF to have humane observers on the ground at roundups. Having an active voice has proven valuable for holding BLM and contractors accountable for the humane handling of wild horses, pressing for improvements to humane standards, and educating policymakers and the public about how tax dollars are being used.