In a tragic turn of events, nearly a dozen wild mustangs have lost their lives during a large-scale roundup in Nevada, reigniting the debate over the use of helicopters to capture animals on federal land. The distressing news has drawn widespread criticism from animal rights activists and politicians, with a Las Vegas congresswoman leading the call for urgent action.
The roundup has claimed the lives of 11 mustangs in just the first 10 days of the operation. Among the casualties were five young foals, four horses with broken necks, and a lead Palomino stallion known as "Mr. Sunshine," who suffered a snapped rear leg. Witnesses on the scene recounted that "Mr. Sunshine" valiantly tried to flee on three legs for a staggering 35 minutes, as he was relentlessly pursued by a helicopter and horseback rider before being ultimately euthanized.
Laura Leigh, the founder of the Nevada-based nonprofit organization Wild Horse Education and a long-time advocate for mustang protection, captured the heartbreaking incident on video. Speaking about the tragic event, Leigh expressed her anguish.
"It made me physically ill to see what was done to that beautiful stallion I have known for years," She voiced.
She has been fighting against roundups in court for over a decade and strongly advocates for ending them altogether. Leigh asserted that the contracted wranglers attempted to force the mustangs into a temporary trap coral, resulting in "Mr. Sunshine's" fatal injury.
Nevada Democratic Representative Dina Titus has condemned the incident, emphasizing the urgent need for a change in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) practices. Rep. Titus is spearheading House legislation to ban the use of helicopters in mustang roundups, citing the recent events as a wake-up call.
"A horse with a broken leg was chased in the sweltering heat by a helicopter," she said, expressing her concern and determination to protect Nevada's wild horses.
The deaths of these mustangs have sparked renewed public outcry over the treatment of these iconic animals on federal lands. Animal rights activists and concerned citizens are demanding greater transparency and accountability in handling these roundups, insisting on a more humane approach to managing wild horse populations.
The Bureau of Land Management has yet to respond to the specific incident, but the mounting pressure from activists and politicians is likely to push for further examination of their current practices.
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