The U.S. tenth circuit court of appeals has overruled wild horse advocates and will allow the roundup of nearly 800 wild horses in southwest Wyoming. The Bureau of Land Management will round up the horses in an area where private, state, and federal lands intermingle.
The Rock Springs grazing association had demanded the roundup because they say the horses are depleting resources from other wildlife and livestock in the area.
But the pro horse groups say that the BLM failed to follow environmental laws in planning to remove wild horses from three herd management areas in southern Wyoming. The court’s ruling will allow the roundup to occur.
State officials have maintained that wild horse populations negatively impact the habitat on public lands. Governor Matt Mead says he is pleased with the ruling, but the pro horse groups were dismayed and said it gives public lands to private interests.