During review, the BLM determined that it had inadvertently provided an incorrect AML. The number has been corrected on this website.

2018 Triple B Complex Wild Horse Gather

The Triple B Complex gather has concluded with 1,389 wild horses gathered. All the horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Wild Horses and Burro Adoption Center in Reno, Nevada where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program.  For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

You can also go to the BLM's Facilities and Internet Adoption page- be sure to check this one out!

Purpose of Gather:

The purpose of the operation is 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, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.  The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, ensuring public safety is not at risk due to the overpopulation of wild horses and providing opportunities for economic growth with space for traditional uses.

Details of Gather:

Originally, the BLM had planned to gather 1,500 wild horses and remove approximately 1,000 excess horses. Due to a larger number of animals located outside the Complex, and on private lands, public safety concerns, a higher rate of horses in poor body condition than anticipated, and concerns that the abnormally dry conditions could lead to an emergency situation this summer, BLM will gather fewer total animals, but will remove an additional 300 horses from the range.  Approximately a total of 1400 wild horses would be gathered, of which 1300 excess horses would be removed. A total of 28 mares have been treated with PZP and released. There will be no further PZP treatments for the remainder of this gather. The gather operation, is still expected to last approximately a month and is being conducted by the BLM Ely and Elko District Offices.  Approximately 2,466 wild horses will remain in the complex once the gather is completed.Wild Horse and Burro Logo

Public Observation:

Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations.  The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands.  The BLM anticipates that viewing opportunities will begin on January 23, 2018, weather and logistics permitting.  Those wanting to view gather operations must notify Public Affairs Specialist, Greg Deimel at (775) 388-7078 prior to the desired viewing date to be added to the attendee list and receive specific instructions on meeting locations and times.

Participants must provide their own transportation.  The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. 

Background: 

The Triple B Complex is located in both the BLM Ely and Elko Districts and consists of the Triple B HMA (Ely), Maverick Medicine HMA (Elko), Antelope Valley HMA west of Hwy 93 (Elko), and Cherry Springs Wild Horse Territory (Elko).  The gather may also take place in areas outside of those HMAs where wild horses have moved in search of food and water and are creating a public safety hazard by traveling regularly across Jiggs Road.

The current population estimate for the Triple B Complex is approximately 3,842 wild horses.  The cumulative Appropriate Management Level for all the Herd Management Areas within the targeted gather area is 472-889 wild horses.  AML is the level at which wild horse populations are consistent with the land’s capacity to support them and other mandated uses of those lands, including protecting ecological processes and habitat for wildlife and livestock.

The decision record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy can be accessed at the national NEPA register. For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov. 

Downloads

Official gather documents for this gather can be accessed on ePlanning here. 

Information Materials:

DAILY TOTALS (Feb. 23)

Animals Gathered: 

0

Animals Treated with Fertility Control 

0

Animals Returned to Home Range 

0

Animal Deaths 

2

CUMULATIVE TOTALS 

Animals Gathered

1389 (531 Studs, 566 Mares, and 295 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control 

28

Animals Returned to Home Range

32 mares 27 studs 3 foals

Animal Deaths: 30

Acute (#): 2

Chronic/Pre-existing (#): 28

Adoption Information

All the horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Wild Horses and Burro Adoption Center in Reno, Nevada where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program.  For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

You can also go to the BLM's Facilities and Internet Adoption page- be sure to check this one out!