Monday, April 23, 2012

THIS JUST IN: The BLM Still Can't Count

http://www.blm.gov/live/pdfs/April/Statistics.pdf


After three years and the removal of over 34,000 wild horses, (not to mention the thousands of foals born in LTH) the BLM has announced that there are now 31,459 wild horses on the range per this February 29, 2012 document.


I was expecting some ridiculous number remaining, but not this. With 10,000 removed through last September, the total numbers of wild horses and burros decreased by around 1,000. And not even a whiff of an explanation as to why their MATH has been so bad for years.


Also note acreage transferred from BLM. Where did over 2 million acres go and why?


Also of note, as of April 20, 2012, Gorey was still using last year's numbers on the WH&B site, even though he MUST have known a new census number was available. Sloppy at best.



Updated as of April 20, 2012
Wild Horse and Burro Population
The Bureau of Land Management estimates that approximately 38,500 wild horses and burros (about 33,000 horses and 5,500 burros) are roaming on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states based on the latest data available, compiled as of February 28, 2011. Wild horses and burros have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the agency must remove thousands of animals from the range each year to control herd sizes.

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