INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC

The West’s wild horses

The Bureau of Land Management administers the West’s mustang population by periodically culling the federally-protected herds. Animals removed from the range are adopted or end up in holding facilities.

Where they are | In the wild and in captivity | Horses/burros population

There are 179 “herd management areas” on about 31.6 million acres of public land. The areas aren’t fenced and horses and cattle often share public grazing land.

This year, the number of horses and burros in long-term holding facilities surpassed the estimated range population.

The total population of horses and burros on the range and those removed in fiscal 2012:

More from The Times’ Data Desk