Posted on 03/18/2022 9:17:12 AM PDT by SJackson
ALPINE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) – The US Forest Services will be collecting ‘feral’ horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Alpine starting Mar. 21st. The removal of the horses comes after the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit group based out of Tucson, filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service for violating the Endangered Species Act. The group claims the Forest Service fails to control feral animals’ damage to the meadows and streams, which are the New Mexico Jumping Mouse’s federally protected habitat.
“Since the early 2000s, feral horses have been causing severe damage to the habitat of threatened and endangered species in an area including the Chiricahua leopard frog, narrow-headed garter snake, loach minnow, and Apache trout, and New Mexico meadow jumping mouse - which is nearing extinction. There are indirect effects on habitats of Three Forks spring snail and Mexican spotted owl. Collection of these feral horses is an ongoing process and necessary for responsible forest management for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests,” said Jeffrey Todd, the spokesperson for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (ASNF).
The Center for Biological Diversity says the jumping mouse relies heavily on the tall grass and streams in the Alpine area, which they claim unauthorized livestock are damaging.
“What is really the damage the horses are doing? Because when you have elk and deer and cattle and they’re all kind of using the same area, you can’t really say it’s the horses doing the damage,” said Simone Netherlands, an Arizona wild horse advocate. Netherlands says she and other horse advocates were notified two days ago of the roundup and wish they had more notice. “We think it’s really sad we’re only getting seven days to try to save these horses. That’s not enough time for the public to give their input.”
(Excerpt) Read more at azfamily.com ...
“...New Mexico Jumping Mouse...”
Seriously?
What is really the damage the horses are doing? Because when you have elk and deer and cattle and they’re all kind of using the same area, you can’t really say it’s the horses doing the damage An excellent point, which won't be considered by bureaucrats.
"MAN IS THE RULER OF ALL"
AND Mother Nature doesn't know what she's doing.
I like horsies better than jumping mice.
Those “feral” horses have been there almost 500 years now.
Once again, liberals have decided to play God and decide which species are “allowed”.
I’m surprised the horses don’t stomp them flat, and eliminate the nuisance pest.
Bookmark
Figures.
The New Mexico Jumping Mouse is illegally living in Arizona to begin with.
when you have elk and deer and cattle and they’re all kind of using the same area, you can’t really say it’s the horses doing the damage
***There have been several studies of fenced-in areas. Deer have no trouble jumping the fence, cattle can’t. The grass grows just fine, very little erosion in the fenced-in deer areas.
It’s just a fancy name for illegals who jump the border wall.
Apparently they have full health care as well.
Feral horses are an invasive, non-indigenous species that destroys the carrying capacity of the forest, just like they do in the desert.
Since the 1971 wild horse and burro act, they have been allowed to procreate without any hindrance. The mountain lion and the bear are the only predators that can take them down.
Unlike deer and elk, they cannot be shot.
RATS, taking sides wi mice, against horses... that’s anti-NATURE!
Arriba! Arriba! Andale! Andale!
Knowing the area, here are a couple of contextual things. I’m still not sure how I feel, but I will form an opinion when I read the article closer.
1. Feral horses probably have not been in this area 500 years. It was settled much later and it is unlikely horses found their way up into this area or were released in this area prior to 1900.
2. The Southwest is in a prolonged drought and certainly 400 horses would put a burden on the ecosystem of the white mountains, especially if they were in the Alpine area. You have a large elk population here as well.
3. If they are tearing up the streams, the wild trout that live in them will suffer from that.
4. There is very little that can outcompete a horse in this area and so they’re population will continue to grow and push out other large species.
That said, I might be for reducing the population and holding it there. I’m just not sure at this time.
Mouse and Horse CoExist
A new bumper sticker for the Show Low - Pinetop micropolitan area
Ah, the “Mexican desert jumping illegales”
Yes, the Center for Biological Diversity is using this endangered mouse to run ranchers off of public land in the West. They have fenced off streams so cattle on grazing allotments can’t use them. In the eastern part of New Mexico they use the endangered Sand Dune lizard to shut down oil drilling.
The Endangered Species Act needs to be reexamined and updated, which should have been done while the GOP was in the majority. It is being used to destroy ranching and other businesses, especially oil drilling.
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