Hello and Happy Monday!
Our friend Mary is back with a guest blog about the Devil’s Garden roundup. The roundup concluded on 11/30/2024. See Mary’s blog below.
We DID speak with Representative Ted Lieu last week. We are hoping to work with his office to help the remaining Devil’s Garden wild horses. Please stay tuned for updates!
DEVIL’S GARDEN ROUNDUP CONCLUDES
The helicopter roundup and removal of the Devil’s Garden wild horses ended on Saturday, November 30th. The final count – 341 stallions, mares, and foals/weanlings have lost their home on their federally-designated habitat, their families, and their freedom.
Here’s a breakdown of the last 16 days including descriptions of the location of the trap sites for the helicopter operation:
11/15/2024 –
O horses due to poor weather conditions
11/16/2024 – Trap location moved east of Dalton Reservoir
5 Stallions: 6 Mares: 4 Foals/Weanlings
11/17/2024
0 horses due poor weather conditions
11/18/2024 – Trap location moved to east side of Goose Lake
2 Stallions: 7 Mares; 6 Foals/Weanlings
11/19/2024 – Trap location relocated to Emigrant Springs near Lauer Reservoir
14 Stallions, 9 Mares: 3 Foals/Weanlings
11/20/2024
Today was a no-fly day due to high winds and weather
11/21/2024
Today was a no-fly day due to high winds and weather
11/22/2024 – Trap location remained at Emigrant Springs near Lauer Reservoir
3 Stallions: 3 Mares; 1 Foal/Weanling
11/23/2024
Today was a no-fly day due to high winds and weather
11/24/2024 -Trap location remained near Emigrant Springs and Lauer Reservoir
2 Stallions: 2 Mares: 1 Foal/Weanling
11/25/2024 – Trap location remained near Emigrant Springs and Lauer Reservoir
3 Stallions: 5 Mares: 4 Foals/Weanlings
11/26/2024 – Trap location remained near Emigrant Springs and Lauer Reservoir
5 Stallions: 4 Mares: 2 Foals/Weanlings
11/27/2024 – Trap location relocated to east of Avanzino Reservoir
0 horses were gathered today.
11/28/2024– Trap location relocated towest of Gooselake
1 Stallion: 1 Mares: 1 Foal/Weanling
11/29/2024 – Trap location relocated tonorth of Lauer Reservoir
1 Stallion:1 Mares: 3 Foals/Weanlings
LAST DAY OF OPERATION
11/30/2024 – Trap location remained north of Lauer Reservoir
1 Stallion: 2 Mares: 2 Foals/Weanlings
Additionally, 7 horses were bait trapped:
11/19/2024 – 3 horses
11/29/24– 4 horses
Total Deaths:
2 Chronic and 1 Acute
According to the USFS, the two acute deaths were a mare, approximately 20 years old, with a large mass on the right side of her stomach and another mare, approximately 13 years old , with an old untreatable wound to her back right leg.
The Acute Death was a stallion who broke his neck. The USFS has not yet provided additional details.
The Average Body Condition Score of the horses captured is BCS is 4 -5.
Total Horses Removed to Date: 341
Of note:
· Bait trapping is to continue later this winter. The details on how long and when are still to be determined.
· The 2024 spring census estimated that there were 723 horses and no foals on the Territory. This means, if the census is correct, only 382 horses are left after the 7th roundup and removal in 7 years.
· The Appropriate Management Level (AML) is 206-402. This means that the Devil’s Garden wild horse herd is close to mid AML.
· Thirty mares were treated with GonaCon last year. GonaCon has a growing reputation for causing sterility in mares. This means that a significant number of the remaining Devil’s Garden mares will not reproduce.
Given the huge decline in the numbers between 2023 and 2024 – from 1,336 horses to 723 horses, what is the future of what was once California’s largest wild horse herd?
· Oh, and private livestock grazing – over 6,000 cow/calf pairs and sheep – will not be reduced.
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