Calico 2011 Roundup Eyewitness Report: November 28-December 1, 2011

Daily reports from the field, from Tuesday, November 28 – December 1, 2011 from AWHPC’s Deniz Bolbol who traveled to the Calico Complex to document the roundup thanks to a generous grant from our coalition partner, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Trap site #2 in Granite HMA, Nov 26-29, 2011. Trap pens circled (left), mouth of the trap circled (right) not visible to observers. Click on image for larger view.

Horse caught in rope during processing (this incident did not result in any injury). Photo by Laura Leigh, Nov. 28, 2011.

Day 10: November 28, 2011
Calico is known for beautiful horses and the approximately 75-80 horses who were captured today were no exception. Gorgeous family bands were rounded up one after another. As it is with all roundups, it was heart breaking to witness the tragedy beset on these tight-knit families – watching them spend their last minutes together after running for their lives and knowing that they will be forever separated from each other, their homes and freedom.

Stallion with bloody nose at temporary holding, Nov. 28, 2011.

The video above was taken on November 28-29, 2011 at the second trap site used in the Calico Complex roundup; it is located in the Granite Herd Management Area. This is the second trap used for the roundup; it was set up on November 26 after having use the first trap site for the first  7 days of the roundup.

The temperatures were moderate – mostly in the low to mid 40s. We recommend that catch-treat-release (CTR) roundups for PZP administration take place during this season before the below freezing temperatures set in.

The BLM contractor pilot was Josh Hellyer with Sun J. By the time we arrived at the trap site at 8:30 a.m., one beautiful family of 7 horses was already in the trap pens. Throughout the day, we observed five runs or captures – for three of the runs the pilot brought in multiple bands at one time.

No water was provided to the foals at the trap site, despite the fact that foals were kept in the pens all day since before 8:30 a.m. and were not trailered out until 3 p.m. We have routinely requested that water be provided to foals at the trap pens because they are held there all day. The majority of foals are not reunited with their mothers as the BLM considers most of them “weanable” – a very small number are reunited because the foals are so small.

Observation of the trap mouth was obstructed due to the restrictions enforced by Ben Noyes, the COR (the BLM person in charge of the operation – known as the contracting officer’s representative). While we had a good view of the trap pens, we were prevented from standing in locations on the hill where we could see the trap mouth. Several times the helicopter was heard flying close to the ground in the area of the trap mouth – however, we were unable to observe what was taking place.

When the pilot was unable to get the horses to run directly into the trap, he chased them south of the trap along a barbed wire fence and had to get the horses to walk through a relatively small opening in the fence – he flew appropriately and thankfully no horses were injured during this portion of the roundup. It’s important to note that horses have died at recent roundups due to barbed wire injuries.

Despite the adequate observation opportunity at temporary holding, one stud was observed with a badly injured and bloodied nose (better image to come tomorrow). Another stud got a rope caught around his neck as he was being processed (see attached).

To date the BLM reports that nearly 500 horses have been captured (include the 75-80 captured yesterday), six horses have been killed during the roundup (2 horses were killed on Sunday) and 51 studs have been returned to the range as a part of the skewing of the sex ratio.

Day 11: November 29, 2011
The BLM reports that 72 horses were captured yesterday, November 28.
Today the capture remained at the same trap site (trap #2) and there were two runs – 15 horses were captured. Both groups appeared to have been driven long distances and came from the direction of Calico Mountain. Horses came in wet with perspiration. Because the BLM refuses to install real-time cameras with GPS on the helicopter there is no way to verify the distance these animals are chased or the speed at which they are chased.
Because the animals appeared to be driven from the eastern side of the Calico Mountain it is likely that they were driven farther than ten miles – the maximum distance that BLM claims horses are chased during roundups. We continue to call upon BLM to install real-time cameras with GPS on the helicopters, at the trap pens, and at temporary holding.

We observed BLM staff administer PZP and process mares for release. Two trailer loads of PZP-treated mares, totaling 33 mares, were released to the Granite HMA. We observed and documented BLM staff, headed up by Al Shepherd and Ricky Knox, load the first group of mares. Despite a number of agitated mares, handling was efficient and appropriate. We did not observe the loading of the second group of mares as we remained at the release site. Sadly, one of the PZP-treated mares (a little Grulla) broke her neck and died during the loading. We were not told about this death until the next day.

Day 12: November 30, 2011
The roundup was suspended today due to high winds.

Day 13: December 1, 2011
The roundup was suspended today due to high winds. The trap was moved to the Calico Herd Management Area (near Wheeler Spring).