BLM Seeks Ways To Protect Wild Horses From Heat After Pressure From Bay Area Advocate
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- In response to criticism from advocacy groups, federal land managers plan to hold a public workshop to solicit ideas on how to protect wild horses from excessive heat at a major holding facility near Reno.
Ann Novak of Oakland-based Protect Mustangs said at least two horses have died at the facility during recent triple-digit temperatures around Reno, and the BLM is negligent in failing to provide shade and shelter for the animals.
Bureau of Land Management officials said they're also consulting with two experts on how to deal with the problem at the agency's Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, 20 miles northeast of Reno.
No date for the workshop has been set yet, but BLM officials said it'll be held in coming weeks.
They announced plans for the workshop on Friday, two days after the Humane Society of the United States urged them to immediately install shelter and provide shade for the animals at the facility.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
