Ely, Nev. – An urgent operation to manage the population of wild horses in northern Ely, Nevada, is set to commence around February 22, 2026. This effort by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will target horses roaming outside the designated Antelope Herd Management Area (HMA) and Moriah Herd Area (HA) in White Pine County.
The initiative responds to extreme drought conditions and the scarcity of forage in zones outside BLM management, which has raised concerns about the health of these animals and the sustainability of the rangeland.
Around 300 wild horses are slated for capture and removal from the specified areas. The BLM will primarily employ drive trapping techniques, supplemented by other methods if necessary and approved by the on-site authorized officer.
Ensuring a humane and safe gathering process is a top priority for the BLM. The operation will adhere to the established Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program protocols, utilizing top-notch handling practices. BLM specialists will oversee the operations directly at the gather sites.
The gather is scheduled from February 22 to 28, 2026. Once captured, horses will be transported on March 1, 2026, to the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center near Sparks, Nevada. There, they will undergo veterinary evaluations and routine care before becoming part of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program.
BLM will offer public viewing opportunities during the gather, with specific arrangements to be disclosed before operations begin. Regular updates and daily reports will be accessible on the gather webpage.
Documents related to this project are available on the BLM National NEPA Register. For further inquiries, reach out to Ben Noyes, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, at [email protected] or call 775-289-1836. Additional details on adopting or purchasing a wild horse can be found at www.blm.gov/whb.
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