The Bureau of Land Management is urging capable animal owners to adopt burros and wild horses amid severe droughts in California over the past month.
Drought conditions have plagued the the state of California, and overpopulation among wild horses and burros has led to a lack of food and water.
"As one of the agencies charged with the responsibility to protect and manage America’s wild horses and burros, the BLM is prepared to take emergency action where we can in order to save the lives of these cherished animals," said BLM Deputy Director of Policy and Programs Nada Wolff Culver, according to the Daily Press.
Over 10,000 wild horses and burros are in California. With 88% of the state under severe drought conditions, BLM is forced to evacuate 8,000 wild horses from public lands by the end of September, according to the Daily Press.
"At the same time, we are committed to continuing our efforts to reduce overpopulation across the West and achieve healthy, sustainable herd sizes that are more capable of withstanding severe conditions, including prolonged drought, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change," said Culver.
Removal of wild horses and burros falls under the 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which allows BLM to displace overpopulations in order to sustain the health and productivity of public lands, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The alternative to removal is caring for horses and burros through responsible caretakers for the sake of both the animals and the environment.
In order to adopt a horse or burro, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no history or past convictions of animal cruelty or abuse, and are able to provide sufficient housing, resources, and safe environments in compliance with the needs of each animal.
