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Improved management actions are needed to protect...
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Growing CostsThe BLM spent $82.567 million on the horse and burro program in Fiscal Year 2017. This money was used to remove a small number of horses from the rangelands ($4.2 million), adopt out approximately 3,500 horses ($7.9 million), and care for horses and burro in long- and short-term holding facilities ($48.6 million). Costs continue to increase every year, and horse and burro populations continue to grow.
Cost to Rangelands and WildlifeContinuing to leave excess horses and burros on rangelands only exacerbates the costs. The larger the rangeland populations become, the greater the damage they cause to the ecosystem. As rangelands deteriorate, the costs associated with restoring habitat for wildlife and other rangeland uses increases. This can lead to increased costs and time spent implementing state wildlife plans as well as federal measures such as Endangered Species Act listings.
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