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ELKO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2023 Antelope Complex-North wild horse gather near Wells, Nev., on August 20, 2023. The BLM gathered 1,971 wild horses, removed 1,936 wild horses from public lands. In addition, six wild horses were released, four wild horses succumbed due to gather related injuries and 25 wild horses were humanely euthanized due to pre-existing or chronic issues.  

The purpose of the gather was to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.

The gather was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. In addition, by balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.

“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the management areas, as well as the wild horses in the area, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation,” said Melanie Mitchell, BLM Wells Field Office Manager.

The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the Indian Lakes, Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals, located in Fallon, Nev., to be readied for the BLM’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 on the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/nevada/2023-antelope-complex