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BLM Sets AML To Benefit Habitat And Wild Horses To protect the health of the public lands and the wild horses that roam them, the BLM Ely Field Office is completing the process of establishing Appropriate Management Level on all its Herd Management Areas. “This action will bring all our Herd Management Areas to Appropriate Management Level and enhance the existing habitat to assure the long-term survival of wild, free roaming horses on their natural range,” BLM Ely Field Manager Gene Kolkman said, Wednesday. Kolkman on Nov. 19, 2003, signed the decision to establish Appropriate Management Level (AML) on eleven of the district’s 24 Herd Management Areas (HMAs). The decision also reestablishes AML on one additional HMA where AML had been previously set. The action affects 433 wild horses, or approximately 10-percent of the total number of wild horses currently roaming the BLM Ely District. Establishing AML on the eleven HMAs allows the BLM to gather on a regular schedule all excess wild horses. The decision also allows the BLM to raise or lower AML, should monitoring data indicate a change in habitat condition or wild horse health. The BLM Ely District is home to nearly 4,100 wild horses. Following Wednesday’s decision, the Appropriate Management Level for all Herd Management Areas in the BLM Ely District will be from 1,269 to 2,141 head of wild horses. Wild Horses of the Ely District The Ely BLM District is home to over 4,000 wild horses living within 25 wild horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs) varying in size from 10,500 acres to 689,185 acres. Horses are managed in accordance with the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, which gives the agency the mandate for "protection, management and control" of the animals. Herd Management Areas have carefully defined objectives and management guidelines designed to assure that the needs of the animals are met while other land uses and resource values are not adversely affected. When horse populations get too high they need to be removed so that their numbers do not exceed the potential of the habitat. Wild horses are commonly called mustangs. The word mustang is derived from the Spanish word "mesteno" meaning stray animal. Nevada’s wild horses are descendants of domestic horses that escaped to or were turned out on the public lands prior to the passage of the "Act". Horses were used to pull wagons, help build the railroads, carry mail along the Pony Express Trail, and plow fields. Sometimes horses would escape from farms, ranches, or mines. Finding the open range a great place to live, with no natural predators, their numbers increased. The early settlers considered these wild herds to be a good source to replenish their stock. However, at the turn of the century with the advent of motorized vehicles, the demand for horses declined. During the 1920s through the 1950s, some people saw the horse herds as an opportunity to make a quick profit. Mustangers rounded up large numbers of wild horses and sold them for human and pet consumption. This practice angered many who considered these majestic animals to represent the spirit of the West. The efforts of Nevada’s Velma Johnston (Wild Horse Annie) and thousands of school children were instrumental in passing of laws to protect wild horses. The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 designated the Department of Interior as the agency responsible for the protection and control of wild horses and burros on public lands. It is unlawful to chase, harass, injure and or capture wild horses and burros. If you hear of or witness an illegal act please call 800-521-6501 or contact the nearest BLM Office. Other Links
Adoption stories of wild horses captured in the Ely District
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Bureau of Land
Management Ely Field Office 702 North Industrial Way HC 33 Box 33500 Ely, Nevada 89301 775-289-1800 |
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