The Nevada Department of Wildlife is supporting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in a court battle over the planned Dec. 28 removal of about 2,700 wild mustangs from the Calico Mountain Complex Herd Management Area to long-term holding facilities.

On Dec. 16, animal advocates asked a federal court judge to forbid the round-up on grounds that it violates federal law. BLM Spokesman Tom Gorey said the gather is necessary to reduce the herd to a size range resources can support.

The following day, the Department of Wildlife entered a motion arguing that halting the gather would endanger other species in the Calico Mountain Complex.

"One of the things we have to worry about is quality of the habitat," said Department spokesman Chris Healy. "The surplus of horses is destroying the range and also affecting the wildlife there