Wells, Nevada–The Bureau of Land Management announced in a recent news release that it concluded the FY2024 Maverick-Medicine Herd Management Area (HMA) Emergency wild horse gather near Wells, Nevada, on September 2, 2024.

The BLM gathered and removed 109 wild horses from public lands, noting that the number of removed animals included any mortalities. Gather operations were conducted using the water and bait trap method.

Limited water, declining condition

“The emergency gather was conducted to remove excess wild horses due to limited water and declining body condition,” the release explained. “The small springs in the area produce only limited amounts of water and cannot support the current population. In order to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the springs and the public lands within the HMA the Agency reduced the number of excess wild horses.  

“’By conducting this gather, the agency was able to provide relief to wild horses from undue suffering from dehydration due to a lack of water,’ said Elko District Manager Jared Bybee.

“The agency transported the animals removed from the range to the Indian Lakes Off-range Corrals located in Fallon, Nevada, to be readied for the agency’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. Wild horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their ‘wild’ status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.”

Additional gather information is available here: FY2024 Maverick-Medicine Emergency Gather Page.

BLM mission

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. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.