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PRESS RELEASEJune 11, 2009- for immediate releaseDocuments Reveal BLM Secret Plan to Destroy Wild HorsesDocuments obtained from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) via the Freedom ofInformation Act by a Phoenix-based non-profit, The Conquistador Program, revealshocking and detailed plans to destroy healthy wild horses in government holdingfacilities as well as those still remaining in the wild on public lands.BLM employees as well as a USDA veterinarian held weekly “Implementation Teamâ€meetings beginning in July of 2008 in which they discussed and developedstrategies aimed at ridding BLM of thousands of mustangs. In October theycompleted a 68 page document entitled “Alternative Management Optionsâ€. Tacticsincluded in this document are reminiscent of those used to wipe out NativeAmerican tribes in the 1800s.The BLM team created scenarios for

killing mustangs using barbiturates, gunshots, or captive bolts. Bodies would be disposed of through rendering, burialor incineration. They discussed killing 1200-2000 wild horses per year. Thedocument states that “the general public would be prohibited from viewingeuthanasia.†Additionally, the Team felt that “increased support from publicrelations and management staff would also be needed to insulate those doing theactual work from the public, media and Congressional scrutiny/criticism.â€â€œMinutes from these meetings as well as the Draft Plan reveal what amounts to‘the final solution’ for the American mustang,†states Ginger Kathrens,filmmaker and Volunteer Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation. “Despite ahuge outcry from the American public last year regarding BLM plans to kill wildhorses in holding, the agency is still pressing forward with a plan to destroyour American

mustangs both on and off the range.â€Division Chief of the Wild Horse and Burro Program Don Glenn told The CloudFoundation that “no decision has been made to move forward on a large scale withthis plan, yet.â€BLM meeting minutes speak for themselves. “Security at facilities and at gatherswould need to be increased to combat eco-terrorism. Having the people that arewilling to put down healthy horses at gather sites could be a problem. Havingvets putting down healthy horses at preparation facility[ies] could also be aproblem.†Meeting minutes reveal the psychological toll that employees wouldpay—“have counseling for employees and contractors that have20to euthanize thehealthy horses because it is very stressful.â€The report created an option in which wild horses of all ages could be sold“without limitationâ€. In other words, horses could be sold directly to killerbuyers in

unchecked numbers. The Team admitted that “some wild horses will go toslaughterâ€.“Once they are gone, they’re gone†says Karen Sussman, President of theInternational Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros. “To lose thisincomparable species would be a travesty.â€Team Members formulated ways in which they could circumvent the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act, asking “How many (wild horses) could be euthanizedduring a gather (roundup) without having NEPA?†BLM discussed ways tocircumvent the federal carcass disposal law (43 CFR 4730.2). Conversationsincluded how many wild horses could be rendered at the Reno Rendering plant or“disposed of in pitsâ€. The Team concluded that “there will not be large numbersof horses euthanized during gathers or in the field. This is due to stateenvironmental laws.â€Recommendations include the creation of gelding herds, and

sterilization ofmares to create non-reproductive herds in the wild in place of natural herds.The team recommended changing the sex ratio from the normal 50% males and 50%females to 70% males and 30% females. Then the experimental two-year infertilitydrug, PZP-22, would be given to all=20mares that are returned to the wild. Planscall for rounding up the wild horses every two years to re-administer the drug.“Mares on the drug will cycle monthly and, with the altered sex ratio, thesocial chaos will be dangerous and on-going,†Kathrens explains. “Any semblanceof normal wild horse society will be completely destroyed.â€Kathrens has spent 15 years in the wild documenting mustang behavior for her PBStelevision documentaries which chronicle the life story of Cloud, the now famouspale palomino stallion she has filmed since birth. “Even Cloud and his littleherd in Montana are in serious danger

if BLM implements these options,†shecontinues. “The BLM plans a massive round up in Cloud’s herd beginning August30, 2009.â€The BLM will not guarantee that Cloud and his family will remain free.The BLM documents referred to above and photos of wild horses are available fromThe Cloud Foundation.The Cloud Foundation, Inc.107 South 7th St.Colorado Springs, CO 80905719-633-3842719-633-3896 (fax)info

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