Unknown Lobbying: The Secret Campaign for Wild Horses

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In the American West, wild horses face brutal helicopter roundups by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to manage their population on public lands. Despite the romanticized image of cowboys managing herds with lassos, today’s reality involves helicopters driving horses into pens to make room for grazing cattle. Many of these wild horses end up in commercial pens or auctions, facing an uncertain fate.

There is a bipartisan effort led by Reps. Dina Titus and Brian Fitzpatrick to ban the use of helicopters in these roundups, opting for more humane methods like fertility interventions. However, the powerful ranching lobby, with deep ties to the Bureau of Land Management, has thwarted such efforts in the past.

Celebrities like Diane Lane are now joining the fight to protect wild horses, pushing lawmakers to support legislation that safeguards these iconic animals. Despite challenges from ranching interests and political hurdles, advocates remain steadfast in their mission to ensure the welfare of wild mustangs in the face of ongoing threats.

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