In the Spotlight
How Southern Nevada Drought is Impacting Wild Horses and Burros: Drought conditions have intensified in Southern Nevada, even with the recent precipitation. Several natural springs and water developments are drying up and disappearing. We have begun hauling water to the Nevada Wild Horse Range and the Red Rock Herd Management Area (HMA) to help the wild horses in those locations. The BLM is concerned about the health of the wild horses. Currently, the wild horses in the Nevada Wild Horse Range are not in poor body condition; however, the Red Rock wild horses are moderately thin to thin. Their conditions could change in a very short amount of time due to the drought conditions.
The BLM has volunteers monitoring the water developments and animal conditions in Red Rock. The Red Rock HMA is part of the Spring Mountains Complex to the west of Las Vegas. The Appropriate Management Level (AML) is 16-27 wild horses and 29-49 wild burros. The current population is estimated at 58-70 wild horses and 73-100 wild burros. The Nevada Wild Horse Range is in Nye County due east of Tonopah. The AML is 300-500 wild horses. The current population is estimated at 312-374 wild horses. Both areas have had a history of water hauling and emergency gathers to remove animals and save them from the lack of forage and water caused by drought conditions.
About the Wild Horse and Burro Program
The BLM protects, manages, and controls wild horses and burros under the authority of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. The BLM manages these living symbols of the Western spirit as part of its multiple-use mission under the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Active Herd Management Areas:
Gold Butte (NV502)
Johnnie (NV510)
Muddy Mountains (NV502)
Nevada Wild Horse Range (NV524)
Red Rock (NV504)
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