2018 Triple B Complex Wild Horse Gather
The Triple B Complex gather has concluded with 1,389 wild horses gathered. All the horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Wild Horses and Burro Adoption Center in Reno, Nevada where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program. For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
You can also go to the BLM's Facilities and Internet Adoption page- be sure to check this one out!
Purpose of Gather:
The purpose of the operation is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, ensuring public safety is not at risk due to the overpopulation of wild horses and providing opportunities for economic growth with space for traditional uses.
Details of Gather:
Originally, the BLM had planned to gather 1,500 wild horses and remove approximately 1,000 excess horses. Due to a larger number of animals located outside the Complex, and on private lands, public safety concerns, a higher rate of horses in poor body condition than anticipated, and concerns that the abnormally dry conditions could lead to an emergency situation this summer, BLM will gather fewer total animals, but will remove an additional 300 horses from the range. Approximately a total of 1400 wild horses would be gathered, of which 1300 excess horses would be removed. A total of 28 mares have been treated with PZP and released. There will be no further PZP treatments for the remainder of this gather. The gather operation, is still expected to last approximately a month and is being conducted by the BLM Ely and Elko District Offices. Approximately 2,466 wild horses will remain in the complex once the gather is completed.
Public Observation:
Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. The BLM anticipates that viewing opportunities will begin on January 23, 2018, weather and logistics permitting. Those wanting to view gather operations must notify Public Affairs Specialist, Greg Deimel at (775) 388-7078 prior to the desired viewing date to be added to the attendee list and receive specific instructions on meeting locations and times.
Participants must provide their own transportation. The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle.
Background:
The Triple B Complex is located in both the BLM Ely and Elko Districts and consists of the Triple B HMA (Ely), Maverick Medicine HMA (Elko), Antelope Valley HMA west of Hwy 93 (Elko), and Cherry Springs Wild Horse Territory (Elko). The gather may also take place in areas outside of those HMAs where wild horses have moved in search of food and water and are creating a public safety hazard by traveling regularly across Jiggs Road.
The current population estimate for the Triple B Complex is approximately 3,842 wild horses. The cumulative Appropriate Management Level for all the Herd Management Areas within the targeted gather area is 472 – 884 wild horses. AML is the level at which wild horse populations are consistent with the land’s capacity to support them and other mandated uses of those lands, including protecting ecological processes and habitat for wildlife and livestock.
The decision record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy can be accessed at the national NEPA register. For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov.
Gather Reports
February 23, 2018
Summary: Shipping operations for the Triple-B Complex Gather have concluded with a total of 1,294 wild horses shipped.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 71 (71 Studs, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
* 3-year-old bay stud with a BCS 3, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to serious physical defect (club foot).
* 19+ year-old bay stud with a BCS 3, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due a hopeless prognosis for recover due to preexisting condition (blindness).
February 22, 2018
Summary: Shipping operations for the Triple-B Complex Gather continued smoothly today. Horses will continue to be shipped from holding until all horses have been shipped.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 85 (26 Studs, 39 Mares, and 20 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
February 21, 2018
Summary: The Triple-B Complex concluded today with a smooth operation. Horses will be shipped from holding until all horses have been shipped.
Animals gathered: 80 (27 Studs, 26 Mares, and 17 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*3-year- old cremello Stud with a BCS 3, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (blindness)
February 20, 2018
Summary: Today's gather operation went smoothly with over 100 horses gathered. Horses gathered today were in good condition. Gather operations continue tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 121 (38 Studs, 58 Mares, and 25 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 6 (3 Mares, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 83 (26 Studs, 39 Mares, and 18 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*20 + -year- old Bay Stud with a BCS of 2 had serious physical defect (severe tooth loss) was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070.
February 19, 2018
Summary: Today's gather went very smoothly even though it was around 20 degrees during the day. One hundred and seven horses were gathered. Expect more cold weather tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 107 (46 Studs, 43 Mares, and 18 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*9 year old bay stud BCS 4 was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due a hopeless prognosis for recover due to preexisting condition (blindness).
February 18, 2018
Summary: There was no flying today because of weather. Continuing to watch the winter storm.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
February 17, 2018
Summary: Gather operations continued today with 99 horses gathered. There is an approaching storm front, that we will be monitoring that may affect gather operations Sundayand maybe Monday.
Animals gathered: 99 (39 Studs, 39 Mares, and 21 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 41 (13 Studs, 13 Mares, and 15 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 6
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 6
*12 year old sorrel mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*5 year old bay mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*6 year old sorrel mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*3 year old black mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*10 year old bay mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*5 year old black mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, and heavily infested with parasites was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
February 16, 2018
Summary: Today was a good day of gather operations with 62 horses gathered. The gather site will be at a new location for tomorrow. We do have incoming weather for Sundayand possibly Monday
Animals gathered: 62 (19 Studs, 28 Mares, and 15 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 68 (28 Studs, 30 Mares, and 10 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*3 year old sorrel mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*9 year old sorrel mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
February 15, 2018
Summary: Gather activity went well again today. The team is keeping an eye on the upcoming weather patterns in anticipation of some snow.
Animals gathered: 50 (18 Studs, 21 Mares, and 10 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 43 (13 Studs, 16 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*25+ year old bay mare, BCS 1 very emaciated, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
*8 year old bay stud, BCS 2, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (broken back).
February 14, 2018
Summary: Gather operations went smoothly today as another round of winter weather approaches this evening and tomorrow. Today 52 horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 52 (19 Studs, 19 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 41 (13 Studs, 16 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
February 13, 2018
Summary: Gather operations continued today under improving weather and 55 horses were gathered. Locations were looked at in the afternoon for favorable areas to relocate the gather trap site.
Animals gathered: 55 (19 Studs, 24 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*8 year old bay stud, BCS 2, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to preexisting condition (broken leg).
*6 year old sorrel mare, BCS 1.5 very emaciated, watched for 2 days and continued to decline, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
February 12, 2018
Summary:Gather operations continued in the Maverick Medicine area with colder temperatures and wind for approximately a half of a day. It was a smooth day with 59 horses gathered.
Animals gathered: 59 (17 Studs, 30 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*4 year old bay mare was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (broken back).
February 11, 2018
Summary:A very successful day of gather operations today as 98 horses were gathered while a little bit of weather is approaching overnight tonight.
Animals gathered: 98 (41 Studs, 32 Mares, and 22 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*20+ year-old bay stud was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (blindness).
*4 year old buckskin mare, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to a pre-existing condition (broken front leg).
February 10, 2018
Summary: Operations for the Triple-B Wild Horse Gather continue to go smoothly with good weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 87 (43 Studs, 31 Mares, and 13 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*10 year sorrel mare, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to a pre-existing condition (broken hind leg)
February 9, 2018
Summary: The gather team moved the holding area today. There were no wild horses gathered during today's operation.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing:
February 8, 2018
Summary: The trap site location was moved on February 8, 2018 and because of this, there were no horses gathered. Gather operations are expected to pick back up tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 30 (7 Studs, 18 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing:
February 7, 2018
Summary: Gather operations for Feb. 7 included releasing back on the range studs and treated mares and a small gather at a new site. Today the gather and temporary holding sites are relocating to new sites.
Animals gathered: 30 (7 Studs, 18 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 28
Animals released: 29 mares 27 studs
Animals shipped: 104 (36 Studs, 45 Mares, and 23 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing:
*20+ bay mare, BCS 2, diagnosed with colic was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
February 5, 2018
Summary: The Triple B Complex gather conducted gather operations at two sites on February 5. The morning gather site was the same location as February 4 and the afternoon location was in a different spot and will be sued for February 6 as well. We are approaching release dates for this first gather area. Gather operations continue to run smoothly.
Animals gathered: 117 (63 Studs, 30 Mares, and 24 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 43 (12 Studs, 21 Mares, and 10 Foals)
Total Deaths Today:
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3
*1-year- old cremello mare with a BCS 2, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (blindness).
*2-year- old cremello stud, with a BCS 2, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (blindness).
*16-year- old cremello stud, with a BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to preexisting condition (blindness).
February 4, 2018
Summary: Gather operations on February 4, 2018 gathered 59 horses under great conditions.
Animals gathered: 59 (25 Studs, 23 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 38 (14 Studs, 14 Mares, and 10 Foals)
Total Deaths Today:
Acute:
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*3-year- old palomino mare, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition (blindness).
February 3, 2018
Summary: Gather activities today lasted for a half of a day. Thirty six horses were gathered today. The trap site moved this afternoon and will be at new location for tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 36 (14 Studs, 16 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 128 (52 Studs, 39 Mares, and 37 Foals)
Total Deaths Today:
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*8 year old sorrel stud, broke neck while loading horses to ship.
February 2, 2018
Summary: The BLM Nevada Triple B Complex Gather continued today with a total of 115 horses gathered today. The gather and trap site has moved for tomorrow. The gather continues to operate with good weather.
Animals gathered: 115 (47 Studs, 43 Mares, and 25 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today:
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*9 year old sorrel stud, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to a pre-existing condition (broken hind leg which had healed incorrectly).
*25 year old sorrel mare, with a BCS of 1, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a serious physical defect (severe tooth loss).
February 1, 2018
Summary: Day two of the Triple B Complex Gather went smoothly under prefect weather conditions. This morning 31 horses were shipped to the Palomino Valley Wild Horses and Burro Adoption Center in Reno, Nevada. The Gather Site Trap moved this afternoon and horses will be gathered at the new site beginning February 2.
Animals gathered: 47 (14 Studs, 22 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 31 (7 Studs, 13 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Total Deaths Today:
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
January 31, 2018
Summary: The first day of gather operations went smoothly. The operations group gathered wild horses for roughly half the day with no major incidents. The weather was great and tomorrow's operations are expected to go as scheduled.
Animals gathered: 42 (16 Studs, 15 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today:
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
**9 year old sorrel stud, with a BCS of 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery as well as pre-existing conditions (facial lacerations).
