Science Features

Science Features are a great way to find out about the science activities conducted at the FORT both in the past and today. Written in plain english, science features highlight the exciting work conducted everyday by FORT Scientists.

America's Wild Horses and Burros: Research for Management

Wild horse and burro managers are under increasing pressure to produce accurate and reliable population estimates of these nomadic animals. In order to plan any management removals, the BLM requires estimates of population size and growth, sex and age classification, and population modeling.

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Tracking a Western Legacy: The Wild Horse Identification and Management System (WHIMS)

Wild horses in some herds can be uniquely identified by their overall body color, facial markings, and leg markings, which have been useful for research and management in selected herds. To review data on individual horses, managers rely on a combination of field notes, written descriptions, and photographs. This process can become cumbersome as extensive information is gathered. As part of a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) and the BLM, FORT wildlife biologist Ron Osborn developed the Wild Horse Identification and Management System (WHIMS) to meet those needs.

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