July 9, 2000
A rescue effort began this
weekend for hundreds of wild
horses facing possible death
because of the prolonged
drought.
It will be the biggest
horse capture in Utah history, as Environment
Specialist John Hollenhorst reports from Tooele
County.
In a parched barren desert, buffeted by heat waves
and raked by dust devils, horses will travel many miles
for a life-saving drink of water. But this time, the water
hole is a trap.
Bureau of Land Mangement personnel are hiding in a
blind waiting to pull a rope. This stretch of desert is so
beaten down by drought, horses have to take a round
trip of 10 or 12 miles, from the water hole to suitable
feed and back again.
Three weeks ago, they were fat. Now they're thinning
down.
GLADE ANDERSON/U.S. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT: "THE TRAVEL BACK AND
FORTH JUST TAKES OFF THE POUNDAGE."
A few more weeks of drought will weaken the herd so
much, they may not survive through the winter. About
1,000 horses will be rounded up in the next few
weeks.
As these mustangs come near the trap, they
are wary. They lay back, and wait.
SHAYNE BANKS/U.S. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT: "THEY CAN SMELL, THEY
CAN SEE THAT THERE'S SOMETHING
DIFFERENT. SOME OF THESE HORSES
CAME UP YESTERDAY AND THEY KNOW
THAT SOMETHING'S HAPPENING SO
THEY'RE JUST TAKING THEIR TIME."
They wait an hour. A second band of horses comes
in. And they all wait, another 45 minutes. Finally, a
stallion comes in for a drink.
GLADE ANDERSON/U.S. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT: "THEIR THIRST HAS
OVERCOME THEIR FEAR. ANYTIME YOU'RE
WATER TRAPPING, PATIENCE IS THE
NAME OF THE GAME. AND EVENTUALLY IT
WILL PAY OFF."
It does. The gate slams shut and eight horses are
caught. And they aren't happy about it, kicking up
quite a fuss.
GALE BENNETT/U.S. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT: "AS YOU SOON AS YOU GET
'EM CAUGHT THEY SEEM TO BE A LOT
WILDER." Q: "YEAH, THEY DON'T LIKE
BEING CONFINED?" A: "YEAH THAT'S
TRUE."
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING:
"BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE FROM THE
DROUGHT, SOME OF THE HORSES HAVE
MOVED INTO EATING PEOPLE'S
LANDSCAPING."
This week, the BLM will step up the pressure, using
helicopters and wranglers on horseback to corral four
different herds in Western Utah.
Only the strong
middle-aged horses will return to the range. The
government says the culling is necessary, to protect
the herds.
GLADE ANDERSON/U.S. BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT: "SO WE WANT THEM HERE,
BUT WE DON'T WANT THEM IN
JEOPARDY."
John Hollenhorst, Eyewitness News, with the Onaqui
Herd, in Tooele County.
The younger horses will be
made available for adoption. The older ones will wind
up in corrals for life, with plenty to eat, at the
government's expense.
