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Overview
Widespread cattle grazing to manage wildfire fuels, coupled with predator extermination, poses severe ecological and economic risks. It promotes invasive grasses, disrupts ecosystems, and increases Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) spread, risking a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)-like outbreak that could bankrupt the beef industry. Wild horses offer a superior alternative for wildfire grazing in wilderness landscapes, with grazing behaviors that reduce fire risk, support ecosystem health, and avoid disease and predator conflicts. This synopsis details these risks and advantages, supported by peer-reviewed studies.
