It's so long to 2019 and a decade of un-ending challenges and tireless work on behalf of our iconic wild horses and wild places, and hello to 2020 and continued work.
November was an especially challenging month and perseverance was paramount. It was not easy to watch wild horses we've been working with on the range, and wild mares we've been successfully treating since 2013 with the fertility vaccine Native PZP, rounded up by helicopter. However, because of our collaborative work and implementation of Native PZP we've slowed population growth and subsequently this was the first BLM helicopter roundup since 2012, versus every 2-3 years.
The BLM's determined appropriate management level (AML) for the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) is 185-253. As in 2012, Wild Love was present for the entirety of the BLM’s 2019 helicopter roundup of the Challis wild horses which concluded November 11 after seven consecutive days. Of the approximate 400 wild horses counted on the range by the BLM, the total number removed by helicopter was 294. The BLM's goal had been 365.
Following the roundup the BLM made two aerial counts of the Challis HMA and concluded 111 wild horses were able to defy capture and remain wild on the range. We witnessed some incredibly impressive displays of might, courage, and unrelenting determination to outsmart the helicopter pilot by some wild horses, and as result, their freedom prevailed.
The number of Challis wild horses returned to the range was seventy-five, which brought the total count to the BLM's low AML of 185. Of the twenty-one wild mares to be released, ten were treated with the fertility vaccine PZP-22 and in keeping with our longtime management plan and successful collaborative work since 2013, which also coincides with wild mares not rounded up that have been part of our initial pilot program with Native PZP-1YR. Twelve mares were treated by the BLM with the fertility drug Gonacon, and we will document and compare research results over the coming years.
Here is this local KMVT-11 news story in Idaho at the conclusion of the Challis Roundup: Watch Here
As it relates to year-end giving, 100% of every donation supports our continued work, operations, and the lasting wildness of Idaho wild horses removed from public lands which we have adopted out of the taxpayer system to remain wild and together on their home turf at Wild Love Preserve. Presently, our 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses reside on our longtime leased 400-acres as we continue to fundraise for the land acquisition of our permanently protected 10,000-acre wildlife preserve, and also prepare to adopt those Challis wild horses not otherwise adopted from the 2019 roundup.
Thank you for considering a year-end tax-deductible donation in support of Wild Love Preserve and our multi-faceted model in wild horse conservation on native turf. Your support is instrumental and translates into lasting wildness for our iconic wild horses and respective indigenous ecosystems as an interconnected whole. Your giving is deeply appreciated and incredibly purposeful.
Founded in 2010 by contemporary artist and photographer, Andrea Maki, Wild Love Preserve has pioneered an innovative model in wild horse conservation, which engages public and private lands to address all facets of Idaho wild horse population on home turf, from collaborative work on the range, to WLP’s adopted 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses and future Idaho wild horses, and the creation of a permanently protected wildlife preserve in the heart of Idaho wild horse country. LOVE IS ACTION.
