A federal lawsuit filed on August 11 seeks to halt the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service’s planned roundup to permanently remove over 600 wild horses from California’s Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory, the state’s largest free-roaming herd. Plaintiffs, including a physician, wildlife ecologist, and filmmaker, argue that the roundup would devastate the historic herd, which plays a vital ecological role by maintaining habitat diversity, reducing wildfire fuel, and supporting other species. They accuse the agencies of violating federal laws such as the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to implement a legally required Herd Management Area Plan for nearly 40 years and mismanaging resources like water and habitat.
The lawsuit highlights concerns over the welfare of the horses, noting that roundups often cause injury, death, and long-term suffering, with many horses ending up in overcrowded holding facilities with high mortality rates. Advocates call for alternative solutions like improving water access and expanding the territory rather than removing the horses. They emphasize the herd’s unique genetic diversity and ecological importance, urging recognition as an “Official Study Herd.” The case’s outcome could influence broader federal wild horse management policies and the future of the Montgomery Pass herd.
