Wild horse advocates blame mustang deaths on stress and trauma related to government roundup

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RENO, Nev. — Activists say stress and trauma are to blame for most of the 86 wild horses that recently died in a government roundup of mustangs north of Ren.

A report issued Monday by the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign found that 43% of the deaths in the February roundup were due to diet and metabolic failure induced by stress and trauma.

Twenty-two percent of the deaths were due to the poor condition of the animals, and 19% were blamed on traumatic injury, the report said.

Activists say the report underscores the adverse effects of roundups on mustangs.

BLM officials attributed most deaths to the animals’ poor condition. They say an overpopulation of horses is harming native wildlife and the range itself, and threatening the mustangs with starvation.

-- Associated Press

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