Based on recent aerial surveys, the BLM estimates that the Red Desert Complex’s population is approximately 3,500 wild horses. | Photo: iStock

The Bureau of Land Management plans to begin gathering and removing wild horses on or after Aug. 6 from the Red Desert Wild Horse Complex in Southwestern Wyoming.

The Red Desert Complex—which includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas—is located in Sweetwater, Carbon, Fremont and Natrona counties, west and south of Wyoming Highway 287.

Based on recent aerial surveys, the BLM estimates that the Red Desert Complex’s population is approximately 3,500 wild horses; the agency has set the appropriate management level at 480–724 horses. In addition, the horses are moving outside of their established herd management areas and causing impacts in areas not identified for their management