Finally, the dawn of a new age has begun, and the hopes and dreams of all of us who care deeply about the preservation of our wildlife, including the American Wild Mustang, have a chance at success.There is a hearing in Washington DC wednesday March 4th before the House Natural Resources committee that will focus on a new Bill, the ROAM Act, or HR 1018. With 32,773 horses currently languishing in government holding pens, time is of the essence! Not only should ROA M become law, the captive horses should be restored to their respective herds to be monitored by qualified scientisits, as supported by the new administration, employing a more effective “in the wild” management program that will protect the horses’ well being and ensure future survival of the species,which roamed this land long before we arrived.
Please write to your elected officials and ask them to support ROAM now, before it is too late!
Here is the news from AWHPC:
- BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board met in Reno today. The number of wild horses currently held in government holding pens was reported at a staggering 32,773, thousands more than remain in the wild. No major recommendations were made, but an important topic of discussion was a bill that is making its way through Congress and that would go a long way toward reclaiming the spirit of the 1971 Act.
- Coincidentally, the Restoring Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act – HR 1018, introduced by U.S. Representatives Rahall and Grijalva, will be the subject of a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, at 10:00 am EST before the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill would amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act by adding important new protections and provisions, such as the banning of helicopter round-ups and the reclaiming of land lost by America?s wild horses over the past 30 years. The hearing will be webcast live on the Committee’s website at www.resourcescommittee.house.gov . Please contact your U.S. Representative and urge him/her to support this critical piece of legislation. We will keep you informed as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.
- On a more somber note, eleven burros were recently killed near scenic Lake Pleasant, AZ, in a disturbing incident reminiscent of the Oatman massacre in which 54 burros were gunned down at Easter during the 1990s. The carcasses were found spread over several acres of public land. BLM rangers say the burros were shot sometime the week after Valentine?s Day and ranged in age from adult to newborn. ?Some were recently born and some were right in the process. There was no mercy.”
Please contact the AZ State BLM Office to insist on a vigorous investigation into this matter: 602.417.9500 – ASOWEB_AZ@BLM.gov. People who have relevant information should also call the Federal Law Enforcement Agency at 1.800.637.9152. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. If found and convicted, the perpetrators face fines and prison time.
On behalf of America?s wild horses and burros, thank you for your support,
The AWHPC Team
American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
www.wildhorsepreservation.org

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