The Assateague Island Alliance (AIA), the friends group of the Assateague Island National Seashore that provides support for the famed wild horses on the barrier island, completed a population survey in November and learned the size of the herd had diminished, causing the National Parks Service to consider adjusting the ongoing contraceptive program for the mares on the island.
The November survey determined “Taffy,” the oldest mare on record on Assateague at 34, along with an unnamed mare known simply as N6G, who was 33, were classified as missing or presumed dead. In addition, another mare known as “Sarah,” or N6EH, was found on the marsh around kilometer marking 21 and was unable to get back up and was humanely euthanized. Recently, a 23-year-old stallion known as N9BQ was found dead, and in October, “Sham,” the oldest known stallion ever on Assateague had to be euthanized due to rapidly deteriorating health.
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4 comments:
is good to manage the herd, but you have to have more than one or two a year new colts. At this rate when the goal is met and the older ones die off then the herd has an age problem. Will the mares / studs be to old to sire and raise the young ones. Common sense needs to prevail not just do it approach. MD could sell them like VA.
Concerned Retiree, the MD herd are wild whereas the VA herd are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer FD and just graze on the island via permit issued by the US Fish & Wildlife.
Back in 1965 the herd was 21 ponies and by 2009 it was 125. They were running out of space and putting the island at risk and themselves at risk of starving. That's when the National Park Service concluded that the herd needed to be reduced to around 80-100 ponies.
The talk was to do a one time capture and removal of around 15-30 ponies but the Humane Society of the US stepped in and it was decided that contraception was the best method. The park service agreed and implemented the HSUS's plan.
The mares are all living longer now because they aren't encumbered by annual pregnancies.
Leave them alone and just let the park service feed them during harsh weather conditions.
I disagree 7:37. The mares would be constantly pregnant since gestation is 320-360 days. If let alone the island would be barren. The ponies need to graze. Feeding hay all the time is bad for them.
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