The Bureau of Land Management is soliciting bids for new long-term pasture facilities that provide a free-roaming environment for wild horses.

The BLM is also soliciting bids for multiple short-term facilities in various states that border or are east of the Mississippi River.

According to a news release, the BLM plans to remove 2,400 animals from the range in Fiscal Year 2014, down from 4,176 in FY 2013. The BLM is also using population growth-suppression measures, and is supporting research to improve existing and develop new PGS tools.

The current free-roaming population of BLM-managed wild horses and burros is estimated to be 49,209, as of March 1, 2014, which exceeds by more than 22,500 the number determined by the BLM to be the appropriate management level. Off the range, as of June 2014, there were more than 47,000 wild horses and burros cared for in either short-term corrals or long-term pastures.

The solicitations involving long-term facilities are for one or more pasture facilities, each accommodating 100 to 5,000 wild horses. Thee BLM is also soliciting bids for short-term facilities accomodating a minimum of 150 wild horses and/or burros in safe and humane condition. The solicitations are open until August 28 and August 29, 2014.

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