National Wild Horse and Burro Program
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National Wild Horse and Burro Program (WHB Program) is a program within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) dedicated to the stewardship of wild horses and burros on public lands. It focuses on managing these animals to maintain ecological balance, reduce overpopulation, and facilitate their adoption into private care.
Mission
The WHB Program's mission is to manage wild horses and burros in a manner that supports their health while protecting the environment. This involves population control through gathers, adoptions, sales, and fertility management, ensuring that the land can support both wildlife and livestock while providing for recreational use by the public.[1]
Parent organization
The program operates under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is part of the United States Department of the Interior. The BLM manages vast amounts of public lands, including the habitats where wild horses and burros roam.[2]
Legislation
The program was established under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which provides the legal framework for the protection and management of these animals.[3]
Partners
- Various non-profit organizations dedicated to horse and burro welfare
- State and local governments for land management coordination
- Private landowners for adoption and placement of animals[4]
Number of employees
The number of employees specifically dedicated to the WHB Program is not publicly detailed; however, the program involves numerous BLM staff across various field offices.
Organization structure
The program is managed by the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Division, with field operations carried out by local BLM offices.
Leader
The program is overseen by an Assistant Director for Resources and Planning within the BLM.
Divisions
The program does not have formal divisions but operates through:
- Herd Management Areas (HMAs) for on-the-ground management
- Adoption and Sales Events for placement of animals
List of programs
- Wild Horse and Burro Gather Operations
- Adoption and Sales Programs
- Fertility Control and Research Initiatives
Last total enacted budget
The budget for the WHB Program was $157.828 million for Fiscal Year 2024.[5]
Staff
Staffing includes various roles from rangeland management specialists to veterinarians and adoption coordinators, spread across BLM field offices.
Funding
Funding for the WHB Program comes from the Department of the Interior's budget allocated to the BLM.
Services provided
The program provides services centered around managing wild horse and burro populations, including gathering animals from overpopulated areas, managing adoption and sales to transition them to private care, and implementing fertility control to manage herd sizes.
Regulations overseen
The program oversees regulations under 43 CFR Part 4700, which deals specifically with the management of wild horses and burros, including their gathering, care, and adoption.
Headquarters address
1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240, United States
History
Since the enactment of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971, the WHB Program has been responsible for managing these animals on public lands, balancing ecological, economic, and welfare considerations.[6]
External links
References
- ↑ Bureau of Land Management. "Wild Horse and Burro Program". Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Bureau of Land Management. "About the BLM". Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/about (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Bureau of Land Management. "Wild Horse and Burro Program". Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Posts found on X discussing partnerships in managing wild horses and burros.
- ↑ Bureau of Land Management. "Wild Horse and Burro Program Data". Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/about-the-program/program-data (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ Bureau of Land Management. "Wild Horse and Burro Program". Bureau of Land Management, https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro (accessed February 8, 2025).