6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
BLM Fillmore Field Office
95 East 500 North
Fillmore, Utah 84631
“Helicopter and motorized vehicle usage is a critical tool when managing wild horses and burros on the open range," said Trent Staheli, West Desert District Wild Horse and Burro Specialist. “These management tools allow us to conduct aerial population surveys, monitor animal distribution, and transport captured animals in an effective and humane manner."
Utah’s current statewide wild horse and burro population numbers currently exceed 5,500 animals, which is well above the approved appropriate management level of 2,000. Having an overabundant number of wild horses and burros above BLM management levels may cause resource damage resulting in limited forage and water availability, which reduces the number of animals that can be supported on the land.
Potential gathers being considered for the 2018 season include the Blawn Wash Herd Management Area (HMA) in Beaver County, the Muddy Creek HMA in Emery County, the Onaqui HMA located in Tooele County, and the Bible Springs HMA location in Iron County. Gather locations may change due to the available funding, impacts of wildfires, or availability of water or forage due to drought conditions.
Since the government removals began in 1975, the BLM has removed more than 14,500 wild horses and burros from Utah’s rangelands. Over 7,700 of those animals have been adopted locally. The remainder of these animals were shipped east for adoption or holding in off-range pastures. Utah’s 2018 satellite adoptions start in May and continue monthly throughout the state. Adoption locations are tentatively set for Farmington, Heber City and Delta, Utah. Daily adoptions are ongoing at the Delta Wild Horse and Burro Facility.
For additional information about the upcoming statewide public hearing, or future wild horse and burro adoptions, visit www.blm.gov or contact the Utah Wild Horse and Burro Hotline at (801) 539-4050 or the BLM Utah State Office at (801) 539-4057.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
