Bureau of Land Management to conduct nuisance wild horse and burro gather in Pahrump, Nevada
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LAS VEGAS – On or about July 20, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management, Southern Nevada District, plans to begin a nuisance wild horse and burro gather on private lands outside the Johnnie Herd Management Area located near Pahrump, Nev. The BLM will conduct gather operations utilizing temporary bait and water traps consisting of a series of corral panels stocked with water and forage; no helicopters will be used.
The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 25 excess wild horses and 100 excess wild burros.
The purpose of the gather is response to concerns of public safety. The horses and burros are crossing state highways and have entered private properties, causing damage to fencing, water lines, and vegetation. The animals are also causing a safety threat to humans.
“Wild horses and burros moving outside the herd management area and into the town creates a safety issue not just for the animals, but also the people living in the area,” said Nicholas Pay, Pahrump Field Manager. “As always, we are committed to a safe and humane gather.”
The BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse and burro gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. The BLM and its contractors are committed to using the best available science and handling practices for wild horses and burros while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.
All animals identified for removal will be transported to the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Ridgecrest, Calif. Upon arrival to the facility, all animals will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program.
Because of the nature of the bait and water gather method, wild horses and burros are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity. Therefore, only essential gather operation personnel will be allowed at the trap site during operations.
The BLM is conducting the gather under the DOI-BLM-NV-S030-2018-0002-EA, Southern Nevada District Public Safety and Highway Nuisance Gathers decision signed on April 1, 2020. Access to the Decision Record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy is at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/94207/510.
Gather reports and additional information will be posted on BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/nevada-southern-nevada-do/2023-johnnie.
For more information, contact Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Tabby Romero at (702) 515-5171 or tromero@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.