Wild horse and burro contraceptive techniques and protocols

Project ID: L15AC00147

Federal Agency: Bureau of Land Management

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2015

Initial Funding: $42,063

Total Funding: $42,063

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary

Principal Investigator: Huber, Michael

Agreement Technical Representative: Griffin, Paul

Abstract: [Through WO Brandon Riley briley@blm.gov]
The objective of this cooperative agreement is to support both refinement of existing techniques and encourage development of new techniques and protocols in the contraception or permanent sterilization of either male or female wild horses and/or burros in the
field. Projects conducted in a controlled environment will have the final goal of applying the sterilization or contraception techniques to free-roaming animals on the range.The following goals and measures of this agreement are as follows:
1. Goals:
a. Conduct surgeries on 100 mares.
b. Monitor post-surgical condition of mares.
c. Assess effects of surgery on mares of different gestational stage.
2. Measures:
a. Percentage of horses in which surgery was successfully completed.
b. Incidence rate of post-surgical complications.
C.Estimate duration of gestation via ultrasound, and compare statistically to
surgical outcomes.