Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025

This proposal would change how the government rounds up wild horses and burros. It would phase out the use of helicopters and planes for these roundups over two years after it becomes law, and require cameras on any aircraft used so footage is shared in the agency’s roundup report. It also calls for an independent report within one year on humane alternatives, potential job opportunities from those alternatives, and the effects of aircraft, including drones, on these animals. The findings say helicopter roundups can be dangerous and expensive, and note that better, humane tools like fertility control exist; since 2012, the government has spent over $69.5 million on roundups while historically spending less than one percent of the program’s budget on fertility control treatments.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal agencies that manage wild horses and burros, aircraft roundup contractors, wild horse and burro herds, and taxpayers.
• What changes: Two-year phaseout of helicopters and planes for roundups; any aircraft used must carry cameras and share the footage; a study of humane alternatives and their job impacts .
• When: Aircraft use is phased out over two years after enactment; the independent report is due within one year of enactment .