The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is asking drivers near the Virginia Range to exercise caution after a pair of feral horses died in collisions with motor vehicles there.

Approximately 2,500 horses reside on the Virginia Range, a private rangeland surrounded by four major highways. The animals are so-called “estrays” descended from domestic horses turned out onto the range by their owners and wild horses. The NDA is tasked with managing the animals. Prior to 2015, the department removed some of those horses from the range to prevent the animals from wandering onto the nearby highways and potentially being killed by motorists; the gathered horses were then sold at auction. However, the sale of the horses at auction drew criticism from some wild horse advocates on grounds that the horses could be sold at auction to buyers who would resell the animals for slaughter.

Rebecca Allured, NDA spokeswoman, said three horses were involved in collisions with two vehicles on Sept. 6. Two of the horses were killed, but no human injuries were reported, Allured said. The animals were likely in search of feed and water when the collisions occurred, she added.

As a result, the NDA is asking motorists traveling on highways near Fernley, Dayton, Lockwood, South Reno, Hidden Valley, Silver Springs, Virginia City, and east of Carson City to be alert for roaming feral horses, especially during nighttime hours and at dusk, Allured said