BLM probes death of foal at CA-NV roundup; may have been shot before wild horse gather began

BLM probes foal death at CA-NV wild horse roundup

RENO, Nev. — Federal agents at a wild horse roundup in northeast California are investigating the death of a young mustang that may have been shot before the controversial gather began this week.

A wildlife biologist with a horse protection group found the animal Wednesday. A Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman says the agency is “actively investigating” but hasn’t determined the foal’s cause of death.

Biologist Craig Downer estimates the 2-week-old horse was shot and killed within the past month. He fears it may have been a victim of growing tension between ranchers and mustang advocates.

BLM plans to roundup 2,000 horses over the next month because it believes overpopulated herds are causing ecological damage along the California-Nevada state line.

A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled the roundup could proceed.