BLM to gather wild horses and burros at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

RIDGECREST, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management will conduct a wild horse and burro gather of up to 270 animals in the Centennial Herd Management Area (HMA) in San Bernardino and Inyo counties, beginning on Saturday, October 4. The gather will take place entirely at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, at the request of the military installation, where the majority of the Herd Management Area is located.

The gather is necessary to ensure proper land management and improve the long-term health of the Centennial Herd that primarily lives within the bounds of the installation. The current estimated population within the Centennial HMA is 629 wild horses and 493 wild burros. The appropriate management level for the Centennial HMA is 134-168 wild horses and zero burros.

The animals will be gathered using a helicopter and wranglers to safely guide the animals to the capture sites. All gather operations will be conducted with care and compassion for the animals' well-being and will adhere to humane handling standards as outlined in the BLM's Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.

There will be no public viewing opportunities due to the gather operations taking place entirely on the military installation. The public is invited to view the gathered animals at the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals daily from 3 - 4 p.m. starting October 5 through the end of the gather. Please follow the daily gather reports for updates. Animals gathered from the Centennial HMA will be made available for adoption or purchase at the corrals.

If you are interested in adopting a wild horse or burro, please call 800-951-8720 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment or visit http://www.blm.gov/whb.