Brief Overview of the planned Serengeti Wild Horse Sanctuary
In the past 2 years, we have done quite some research on the issues surrounding the American Wild Horse. In short, thousands of these iconic animals are being "gathered" out of the wild via helicopter every year.
Of these thousands of ex-Wild horses, a few are adopted out, (to whom??) and many others are sold at auction directly to 'kill buyers". The kill buyers are middlemen who are actively buying horses on a daily basis at auction and elsewhere, to sell the horses onward to the slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. Once the sanctuary is established, Serengeti will attend the auctions and bid directly against the kill buyers, effectively buying the lives back of entire herds taken from the wild.
The balance of the gathered horses that were not auctioned or adopted out, are placed into short-term government holding pens, where they spend the next 3 to 36 months in isolation THE LITCHFIELD HOLDING FACILITY from their families, in single sex pens, existing with no semblance of their former wild selves. They stand around listlessly on an average of 600sqft per horse, about the size of an average backyard swimming pool, waiting for the feedtruck to drop their next load of hay. These spirited and iconic animals are being “warehoused” in mind-numbing conditions, with zero thought, care or intent given to their mental state.
Of these thousands of ex-Wild horses, a few are adopted out, (to whom??) and many others are sold at auction directly to 'kill buyers". The kill buyers are middlemen who are actively buying horses on a daily basis at auction and elsewhere, to sell the horses onward to the slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. Once the sanctuary is established, Serengeti will attend the auctions and bid directly against the kill buyers, effectively buying the lives back of entire herds taken from the wild.
The balance of the gathered horses that were not auctioned or adopted out, are placed into short-term government holding pens, where they spend the next 3 to 36 months in isolation THE LITCHFIELD HOLDING FACILITY from their families, in single sex pens, existing with no semblance of their former wild selves. They stand around listlessly on an average of 600sqft per horse, about the size of an average backyard swimming pool, waiting for the feedtruck to drop their next load of hay. These spirited and iconic animals are being “warehoused” in mind-numbing conditions, with zero thought, care or intent given to their mental state.
After these gathered BLM Wild Horses reach 10 years of age in the Holding Facilities.....
......are then available to be selectively sold to the above mentioned kill buyers, destined for slaughter. In 2011, as the funding for the BLM is being heavily cut this year, the sheer financial weight of 38,000 horses in BLM Holding Facilities is becoming unbearable. It seems clear that the quantity of BLM ex-wild horses to be auctioned off will increase effective immediately. The tipping point has been reached and the door has been opened ever wider for America’s wild horses to be sold directly to the slaughterhouse buyers.
THIS..... IS THE END OF THE ROAD FOR AMERICA'S WILD HORSES. THEY STAND IN THE CEMENT QUEUE AT, AWAITING THEIR DEMISE.
THIS..... IS THE END OF THE ROAD FOR AMERICA'S WILD HORSES. THEY STAND IN THE CEMENT QUEUE AT, AWAITING THEIR DEMISE.
At Serengeti Foundation, we believe that: we can create a better reality for these horses. We believe that: The American People want a better reality for these horses.
We believe that: As a nation: WE....CAN....DO....BETTER.
Serengeti Foundation will work towards creating an enormous horse sanctuary like no other. We believe that we can change what our nations views as the norm in how these horses are treated. But we cannot do that alone!! We need your help to make this a reality - and here is brief overview of some facts, to help you begin to make an informed decision about our project:
COMING HOME!! This expansive ranch could be a permanent home for a majestic herd of 1,000 wild horses, never to know the fear of the slaughterhouse.
STATISTICS ON WILD HORSES
Horses in the wild in 1900: 2,000,000 +/-
Horses in the wild in 2000: 100,000
Horses "gathered" from the wild during 2001-2010: 90,000
Horses Remaining in the wild today: 25,000
Horses in government holding facilities: 38,000
Age at which government held wild horses can be sold at auction: 10 years old
Total # of horses exported annually to Canada and Mexico for Slaughter: 100,000
Estimated number of wild horses exported annually for slaughter: 1,000+ and increasing.
Size Ranch we are looking to buy: 30,000-40,000 acres in Montana or Wyoming
Rescue capacity of these ranches: approx 1,000 wild horses each.
Current Asking Price: approx $10,000,000 each
Initial Funding being provided by Serengeti Foundation: $2m cash for closing. Additional $2m over the next 5 years against loan balance.
Funding sought: $6.0m + to buy the first property
Funding of all future ongoing day to day operations: covered by Serengeti Foundation
KEY FEATURES OF OUR TARGET PROPERTIES:
** Epic in scope, expansive yet low maintenance. 60 square miles!! It gives the horses virtually unlimited room to run, be spirited and feel joy, peace and freedom.
Measuring roughly 7x8 miles, the ranch has all the natural features needed to allow our horses to thrive with little or no supplemental feeding. They’ll be wild and free!
** Ideal climate and landscape for wild horses. Enough moisture for ample and diverse grasses for healthy diet, yet also enough rocky terrain to keep hooves healthy and life interesting!
WHERE WILL THE WILD HORSES COME FROM?
Maybe we should ask, where WON’T they come from?? There are 100,000 horses departing the US for slaughter in Mexico and Canada every year, and an ever increasing component of them are once-wild horses.
The wild horses destined for our sanctuary ranch will be secured from a variety of locations including:
1. The first stop is the BLM and their holding facilities. The BLM has recently requested proposals from the public, looking for money-saving options for their holding facilities. As mentioned, government funds are tight and getting tighter, which is not good for the horses in government “care”. We believe the BLM will jump at the chance to “adopt” out sizable numbers of their wild horse inventory. This will be a cost saving measure for them, and by releasing gathered horses back into a near-wild situation, they would surely reap the benefits of some much needed positive PR.
2. The second stop will be livestock auctions like the one in Fallon, Nevada. They frequently are auctioning off wild horses gathered by private landowners, by unusual government roundups sponsored by the Department of Agriculture or other less common gathering organizations. (municipalities, Forest Service, etc)
3. The Indian Reservations are the third stop, and are possibly one of the most vital. They gather their wild horses "as needed", and frequently sell at the auctions. However, the tribes have started the chatter about reopening US-Based slaughterhouses here on their reservations. The Reservations are not held to all US law, and if they saw a large enough financial opportunity, the slaughterhouses would likely move forward. If Serengeti could take their excess horses, AND give them positive public relations feedback in exchange, we would be helping defer any such new slaughterhouse openings.
WILL THE HORSES BE BREEDING?
No, there should be very minimal breeding as 100% of the males will be gelded. Any incoming stallions will be gelded upon arrival at the ranch. Males gelded after 2-3 years of age have already matured into breeding adults, and the "wild" nature of being a stallion runs deep within them. Even after they are gelded, they retain this wild nature, they fight for dominance, they maintain a herd of females, and defend that herd at all costs.
Our mission is to return as many of America’s gathered wild horses as possible to a free existence on our ranch. We don't wish to expand the population, and create our own excess horse dilemma.
WILL THERE BE SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING?
During dry years, where the grass does not grow as tall, we will likely supplement with hay and possibly small amount of alfalfa or other protein as needed. However, the stocking rate we are planning is roughly 1 horse per 35 acres, a figure which we believe the ranch grasses can support on their own. It is our intent to minimize the need for hands-on human "care". We don't want a line of wild horses trailing behind the truck as it drives thru the ranch, all waiting for the daily hand out. Mineral-block supplements will be scattered in various places around the property.
WILL THERE BE PUBLIC VISITATION TO THE RANCH?
We are definitely open to this, and are strongly considering plans to have a small "camp" set up, with a main house and surrounding smaller sleeping cottages. These will be open to all large donors, at any time. It will likely be on the backs of our donors and supporters that the ranch comes into existence in the first place, so it is important that they feel a kinship with the property, and know that they are welcome there anytime.
Having the "camp" available for rent to the public however, takes management, takes time, and costs money. So whether having this open to the public actually benefits the horses is unknown, how this may or may not eventually evolve is still up in the air. If it is at all viable for us to allow the public to come and see the horses in their own element, we would be eager to make that happen.
WHAT IS THE TIME-TABLE?
Now! The first $2,000,000 have been donated and is available immediately. The Lusk Wyoming Ranch has been specifically sourced for value, size and utility, and is currently for sale. The project is ready to move forward as soon as additional funds are raised and available. The need is there: horses are loaded into the trucks every single day.....
WHAT IF I DONATE, BUT THE RANCH IS NEVER PURCHASED?
If interested, all larger donors, can direct their funds to a trust account at the title company or law firm, with specific instructions that the funds be used exclusively to close on the ranch with Serengeti Foundation as specified buyer. If the ranch does not close within a pre-determined length of time, the funds will be returned in full to the donor.
We are very excited about moving forward on this important and timely project, and to this end, would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. We look forward to discussing The Serengeti Wild Horse Sanctuary with you soon!
Sincerely,
Bert von Roemer
Founder - The Serengeti Foundation
COMING HOME!! This expansive ranch could be a permanent home for a majestic herd of 1,000 wild horses, never to know the fear of the slaughterhouse.
STATISTICS ON WILD HORSES
Horses in the wild in 1900: 2,000,000 +/-
Horses in the wild in 2000: 100,000
Horses "gathered" from the wild during 2001-2010: 90,000
Horses Remaining in the wild today: 25,000
Horses in government holding facilities: 38,000
Age at which government held wild horses can be sold at auction: 10 years old
Total # of horses exported annually to Canada and Mexico for Slaughter: 100,000
Estimated number of wild horses exported annually for slaughter: 1,000+ and increasing.
Size Ranch we are looking to buy: 30,000-40,000 acres in Montana or Wyoming
Rescue capacity of these ranches: approx 1,000 wild horses each.
Current Asking Price: approx $10,000,000 each
Initial Funding being provided by Serengeti Foundation: $2m cash for closing. Additional $2m over the next 5 years against loan balance.
Funding sought: $6.0m + to buy the first property
Funding of all future ongoing day to day operations: covered by Serengeti Foundation
KEY FEATURES OF OUR TARGET PROPERTIES:
** Epic in scope, expansive yet low maintenance. 60 square miles!! It gives the horses virtually unlimited room to run, be spirited and feel joy, peace and freedom.
Measuring roughly 7x8 miles, the ranch has all the natural features needed to allow our horses to thrive with little or no supplemental feeding. They’ll be wild and free!
** Ideal climate and landscape for wild horses. Enough moisture for ample and diverse grasses for healthy diet, yet also enough rocky terrain to keep hooves healthy and life interesting!
WHERE WILL THE WILD HORSES COME FROM?
Maybe we should ask, where WON’T they come from?? There are 100,000 horses departing the US for slaughter in Mexico and Canada every year, and an ever increasing component of them are once-wild horses.
The wild horses destined for our sanctuary ranch will be secured from a variety of locations including:
1. The first stop is the BLM and their holding facilities. The BLM has recently requested proposals from the public, looking for money-saving options for their holding facilities. As mentioned, government funds are tight and getting tighter, which is not good for the horses in government “care”. We believe the BLM will jump at the chance to “adopt” out sizable numbers of their wild horse inventory. This will be a cost saving measure for them, and by releasing gathered horses back into a near-wild situation, they would surely reap the benefits of some much needed positive PR.
2. The second stop will be livestock auctions like the one in Fallon, Nevada. They frequently are auctioning off wild horses gathered by private landowners, by unusual government roundups sponsored by the Department of Agriculture or other less common gathering organizations. (municipalities, Forest Service, etc)
3. The Indian Reservations are the third stop, and are possibly one of the most vital. They gather their wild horses "as needed", and frequently sell at the auctions. However, the tribes have started the chatter about reopening US-Based slaughterhouses here on their reservations. The Reservations are not held to all US law, and if they saw a large enough financial opportunity, the slaughterhouses would likely move forward. If Serengeti could take their excess horses, AND give them positive public relations feedback in exchange, we would be helping defer any such new slaughterhouse openings.
WILL THE HORSES BE BREEDING?
No, there should be very minimal breeding as 100% of the males will be gelded. Any incoming stallions will be gelded upon arrival at the ranch. Males gelded after 2-3 years of age have already matured into breeding adults, and the "wild" nature of being a stallion runs deep within them. Even after they are gelded, they retain this wild nature, they fight for dominance, they maintain a herd of females, and defend that herd at all costs.
Our mission is to return as many of America’s gathered wild horses as possible to a free existence on our ranch. We don't wish to expand the population, and create our own excess horse dilemma.
WILL THERE BE SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING?
During dry years, where the grass does not grow as tall, we will likely supplement with hay and possibly small amount of alfalfa or other protein as needed. However, the stocking rate we are planning is roughly 1 horse per 35 acres, a figure which we believe the ranch grasses can support on their own. It is our intent to minimize the need for hands-on human "care". We don't want a line of wild horses trailing behind the truck as it drives thru the ranch, all waiting for the daily hand out. Mineral-block supplements will be scattered in various places around the property.
WILL THERE BE PUBLIC VISITATION TO THE RANCH?
We are definitely open to this, and are strongly considering plans to have a small "camp" set up, with a main house and surrounding smaller sleeping cottages. These will be open to all large donors, at any time. It will likely be on the backs of our donors and supporters that the ranch comes into existence in the first place, so it is important that they feel a kinship with the property, and know that they are welcome there anytime.
Having the "camp" available for rent to the public however, takes management, takes time, and costs money. So whether having this open to the public actually benefits the horses is unknown, how this may or may not eventually evolve is still up in the air. If it is at all viable for us to allow the public to come and see the horses in their own element, we would be eager to make that happen.
WHAT IS THE TIME-TABLE?
Now! The first $2,000,000 have been donated and is available immediately. The Lusk Wyoming Ranch has been specifically sourced for value, size and utility, and is currently for sale. The project is ready to move forward as soon as additional funds are raised and available. The need is there: horses are loaded into the trucks every single day.....
WHAT IF I DONATE, BUT THE RANCH IS NEVER PURCHASED?
If interested, all larger donors, can direct their funds to a trust account at the title company or law firm, with specific instructions that the funds be used exclusively to close on the ranch with Serengeti Foundation as specified buyer. If the ranch does not close within a pre-determined length of time, the funds will be returned in full to the donor.
We are very excited about moving forward on this important and timely project, and to this end, would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. We look forward to discussing The Serengeti Wild Horse Sanctuary with you soon!
Sincerely,
Bert von Roemer
Founder - The Serengeti Foundation
This is their current reality. Can running through these hills be their future??
