The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is planning a helicopter roundup operation to capture up to 1,000 wild horses in the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory in northeastern California. (Act now to stop this roundup. >>)
The USFS has an ugly history within the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory. Between 2018 and 2021, they removed 2,443 wild horses from this habitat — all so giant ranching interests could graze their livestock on public lands at the expense of taxpayers like you, Kathy. These helicopter roundups have had devastating consequences: in the 2021 operation, 5 innocent wild horses lost their lives.
Troubling news of continued injury and death followed, with 2 colts from this same roundup found dead in the USFS’ care after a mountain lion attack and 4 additional colts euthanized due to complications from gelding. One mare was found dead for no known reason, and a stallion broke his neck.
This upcoming roundup must be stopped. The USFS must invest in more humane methods and stop the cruel roundup and stockpiling of wild horses. Further, the agency currently has no formal vetting process for adopters nor for conducting compliance inspections following an adoption. With the USFS practically giving the Devil’s Garden horses away for just $25, we must ensure these measures are in place before any more horses are removed from the range.