Abstract
Wild free roaming horses and burros are again disappearing from public lands. The increasing demands on public resources have created significant controversy and competition leading to political rather than science driven policies for the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. A case study approach was used to provide an in depth analysis of the Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office’s management considerations for wild horses and burros in California’s Twin Peaks Herd Management Area. The study followed the planning process and removal of wild horses and burros from the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area. The research methods included participating in the public planning process, review of the major legislative requirements, planning documents, and a comprehensive scientific literature review. The study found that the Bureau of Land Management’s considerations for wild horses and burros is politically driven and reflects a loose interpretation of the legislative requirements and science in favor of livestock interests.