Helicopters’ role in wild-horse roundups to be reviewed

Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 | 8:03 a.m.

The purpose of the agency's hearing in Reno is to gather public comment on the use of helicopters to remove excess wild horses and burros from the range and to collect population census information.

Wild-horse advocates have objected to the use of helicopters in the roundups, saying the animals break legs and suffer other injuries in the rush to escape the aircraft. BLM officials said such injuries are rare.

"The use of helicopters in managing wild horses and burros has become routine. And most people agree that careful and proper helicopter use is efficient and humane," said Meg Jensen, BLM deputy state director.

"However, we are always looking for suggestions from the public on how to improve our management of the animals."

The BLM is charged with managing the West's estimated 44,000 wild horses, about half of which live in Nevada. It routinely gathers some of the animals and puts them up for adoption to ease overpopulation.

Plans call for helicopter removals of excess wild horses from five herd-management areas in Nevada next year.

Jensen said the roundups would achieve management levels appropriate to the vegetation and water available in the areas. The exact number of areas where roundups are conducted will depend on money, she added.

A 1976 federal law allows the use of helicopters for the purpose of removing wild horses from the range, but requires public hearings on their use.

The public hearing also will focus on the use of motorized vehicles such as straight-deck semis to transport wild horses from gathering sites to adoption centers.

The hearing will begin at 2 p.m. at the BLM's Reno office.