Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

BLM to try to save hundreds of imperiled wild horses near Las Vegas

Nevada's Wild Horses

Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

Wild Mustangs roam the hills in rural Nevada near Yerington, Nov. 4, 2012.

The Bureau of Land Management will be rounding up as many as 200 wild horses near Las Vegas starting Saturday to provide the animals veterinary care and food and water to protect them from the dangers of a severe drought.

Wild horses near Cold Creek, about 30 miles west of Las Vegas, are suffering from a lack of forage and water. The BLM says that without action, some of them could die.

“Many of the animals are in very poor condition, and we do not expect the situation to improve any time soon," said John Ruhs, BLM acting Nevada director.

The BLM will use hay and water to gather the horses, which will then be transported to the government-owned Oliver Ranch. There, they will receive a veterinary assessment and have access to more food and water.

Once the horses are strong enough to travel, the BLM said they would be made available for adoption or sale, or moved to off-range holding pastures.

The BLM expects the gathering to last between one week and one month.