Authorities in Utah are offering a $30,000 reward for information related to the shooting death of a federally protected wild horse in the Onaki Herd Management Area.
The male horse, identified by the onaki catalog as Pirate/Goldie/Glory, was found dead Nov. 10 about three miles southwest of Simpson Springs in Tooele County, according to the Utah State Office of the Bureau of Land Management.
Evidence leads authorities to believe the horse was shot during the week of Nov. 3 and died of its injuries over the weekend.
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The male horse, identified by the Onaqui Catalog as Pyrite/Goldie/Glory, was shot and killed by a member of the public on November 10 in the Onaqui Herd Management Area. (Onaqui Catalog Foundation / Utah)
A member of the public found the horse and reported its death to the agency, which opened a formal investigation once the horse was shot by authorities.
“At this time, we are saddened. Pirate was an eye-catching young palomino stallion who was a favorite of many who visited the range,” Onaqui Catalog wrote on Facebook. “Please help us honor her by sharing your memories and tag us in your own photos of her. We’d love to share them in our stories.”
“Remember, the horse’s carcass and the surrounding area are under an active investigation,” the organization said.
“Please respect this and give the Bureau of Land Management and the authorities time and space to work,” the Onaki catalog wrote.
Arizona wildlife officials are investigating the illegal killing of desert sheep. A reward of $6500 was offered.
Pyrite’s death is the third wild horse to be shot in Onaki HMA since March 2023.
Pirate’s death in November 2024 came nearly a year and a half after two horses were shot dead in the same area in March 2023. (Onaqui Catalog Foundation / Flyer)
Bureau of Land Management West Desert District Manager Mike Gates said harassing, capturing or killing wild horses is illegal and punishable by up to a year in jail and/or fines. “BLM takes seriously our responsibility to protect these animals and is committed to holding accountable whoever is responsible for this irresponsible act.”
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Several agencies have put together a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the pirate’s death.
The prize is distributed as follows: Onaki Catalog Foundation ($1,500), Wild Beauty Foundation ($2,500), Bureau of Land Management ($5,000), Redbirds Trust ($5,000), Wild Horse Education ($5,000), Rewilding America Now ($5,000) and American Wild Horse Conservation ($6,000).
A $30,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Pyrite’s death. (Onaqui Catalog Foundation / Utah)
Anyone with information about shootings, horse deaths or general suspicious activity in the area from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9 can contact the Utah Law Enforcement tip line at 800-722-3998.
