Activists attribute Nevada mustang roundup death toll to stress, trauma

NV mustang roundup death toll blamed on stress

RENO, Nev. — Activists say stress and trauma are to blame for most of the 86 wild horses who died in a government roundup of mustangs north of Reno.

A report issued by the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign says 43 percent of the deaths are due to diet and metabolic failure induced by stress and trauma.

The report says 22 percent of deaths are due to the poor condition of the animals, and 19 percent are blamed on traumatic injury.

Activists say the report underscores the adverse effects of roundups on mustangs.

BLM officials attribute most deaths to the animals’ poor condition. They say an overpopulation of horses is harming native wildlife and the range itself, and threatening the mustangs with starvation.