Federal adoption program helps rein in wild horse population growth: Report

The Bureau of Land Management’s adoption program for wild horses and burros in the western U.S. is making significant progress in managing the population growth of these iconic animals, according to a new report from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC).

Wild horses and burros can quickly overwhelm ecosystems if left unchecked, leading to degradation of lands and potential cascading effects on other plant and animal species. The adoption program, which has seen over 15,000 adoptions since its inception in 2019, has already saved the BLM $66 million in costs and is expected to save approximately $400 million over the lifetimes of the adopted animals.

PERC CEO Brian Yablonski emphasized the importance of respectful solutions for managing wild horse populations, highlighting adoption as a key strategy. The program offers financial assistance for training and care of the animals, with adopters required to pass welfare checks and agree not to sell the animals for slaughter.

While some organizations have raised concerns about potential abuse and slaughter of adopted horses and burros, PERC recommends increasing adoption incentives and expanding habitat for the animals. The report also suggests using the money saved through adoptions to fund other efforts, such as fertility control vaccines for wild mares.

Overall, the adoption program is seen as a positive step towards managing wild horse populations in a sustainable and humane manner, while also addressing the ecological impacts of unchecked growth.