I reside in #Colorado, and have been photographing the wild #herds that roam the state's #PublicLands for a few years now. In 2021, I became heavily invested in this issue when I got word in that my local herd in #SandWashBasin was going to be rounded up. To me, it felt personal – I had to do something.
Within the 1.1 million acres that make up the #AntelopeComplex in #Nevada lives a herd of beautiful strong #WildHorses. — But for the past few years, the herd has been targeted by #helicopters.
When the helicopters descended on the herd in 2021, the horses ran as fast as they could away from its deafening roar. After over an hour of running, they were exhausted — especially the foals and the helicopters were funneling them into a trap.
During this government #roundup on this habitat 11 wild horses, including four babies, died at the #trap, not even making it into the holding pens.
The next series of roundups start tomorrow. The #AmericanWildHorseCampaign (#AWHC) are working hard to stop these brutal helicopter operations from being used against wild herds.
The #Wildhorses and #Burros#roundups are happening because powerful #ranching private interest groups have #lobbied for roundup and removals in #Washington for decades.