The U.S. Bureau of Land Management recently announced the completion of the fiscal year 2021 Antelope Complex Emergency Wild Horse Gather, an operation to relocate close to 2,200 wild horses from public lands.
The operation was conducted roughly 50 miles north of Ely, Nevada, and concluded Aug. 30. The horses were removed to reduce overpopulation within and outside the complex.
The round up and removal of the horses will help reduce environmental impacts of horses can have such as shortages in water and forage, the release stated.
“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the Complex, as well as the wild horses in the area, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation and exceptional drought conditions,” Elko District Manager Gerald Dixon said.
The horses will be relocated to the Palomino Valley Center in Sparks, Nevada, as well as Axtell Utah Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corals for possible entry into the Wild Horse Adoption and Sale Program.
Horses that aren’t adopted are sent to long-term pastures where they retain their wild status.
