Why are America's free-roaming wild horses and burros not considered a threatened species?

1) They're not an indigenous species. They were introduced by European settlers.

2) The numbers have not been confirmed as being anywhere near the level required for the label endangered, which applies to species where there is a risk of losing a sustainable population.

3) The BLM manages the population of wild equines in order to protect the populations of indigenous species which also share that habitat, such as deer and antelope. If the mustang population is allowed to grow too quickly, they would starve out the other animals competing for the food resources as well as cause starvation and suffering in their own herds.

4) The BLM's policy is aimed at adoption, but there aren't enough people willing to take responsibility for the care and domestication of a feral animal. If you're this concerned, adopt a horse rather than just accusing the government of mismanagement of the species. There are actually plenty of wild mustangs left and the BLM does not wish to lose them as a part of America's wilderness, they want to assure that the species remains viable and healthy so our children and grandchildren can enjoy them -and- the indigenous North American wildlife of the Southwest.

I second LysKitsune's motion. She hit the nail precisely on the head.

Hi Magicintheair,
I agree with you completely. Wild horses and burros are such precious creatures, and they are in fact being persecuted. A few organizations are trying to help, and each Christmas and whenever I can, I donate to them.

Lyskitsune, you have some good points but - you're assuming that Magic is only complaining about the problem and not doing anything about it. We don't know - she may have adopted a bunch of burros already. It's best not to assume things about people. But you do have some good information that puts more light on the subject.

That one's easy. They are invasive species, and incredibly damaging to the environment. Declaring them endangered would be like doing the same for kudzu!