For Release:Sept. 15,  2000
Contact:Jeff Fontana (530) 257-5381

DONATION FUND ESTABLISHED FOR
WILD HORSES AND BURROS

In response to the public's offers of donations to benefit drought-stricken wild horses and burros, the Bureau of Land Management has established a national donation fund.  Donated funds will be used by the agency to help animals removed from public rangelands because of extreme drought or wildfire.

Contributions will be used to purchase vaccines, antibiotics, milk for orphaned foals, and other items that will directly improve the health of wild horses and burros.  Donations can be sent to: 4 Mustangs and Burros, Bureau of Land Management, PO Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520-0006, attention: Business Manager.  Contributions are tax deductible.

The BLM must find homes for the 4,000 animals that are being removed from ranges damaged by wildfire or drought.  In addition, BLM corrals nationwide are holding about 4,000 animals that have been removed from ranges in BLM's wild herd population management work. 

Locally, the Litchfield Corral near Susanville  expects to hold up to 700 horses when gathering operations now underway are completed. The Litchfield facility  could also be called upon to house horses from the neighboring Palomino Valley Corrals in Nevada if that facility becomes overcrowded.  The horses and burros are held in BLM corrals or long-term pastures until they can be placed in private care through the BLM's Adopt a Horse or Burro Program.

Additional information on the BLM's wild horse and burro program, including details on adopting an animal from the range, are available by phoning BLM's new national information line: 1-866-4MUSTANGS.  Information on horses and burros available at the Litchfield Corrals is available by calling toll free, 1-800-545-4256.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team    2950 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130