On Assateague, Circle Of Life On Full Display This Week; Surprise Filly’s Birth Happens Three Days After Stallion Euthanized

ASSATEAGUE — The circle of life was on full display this week at Assateague with an elderly stallion tragically hit by a car and euthanized last Friday followed by the birth of a new foal on Monday, the fourth of five expected in a virtual baby boom this year.

On Friday, Assateague Island National Seashore officials announced a 16-year-old stallion, known affectionately as Tunkan Hoksila, was hit by a car on the barrier island. Because the horse suffered a broken right hind leg, Tunkan was humanely euthanized. The tragic loss was tempered somewhat early this week when the mare known as Chama Wingapo surprisingly gave birth to a new foal in the developed area near the north end of the island.

Chama Wingapo was not known to be expecting. After annual pregnancy tests for many of the mares in the herd of wild horses on the island in November, three including JoJo, Carol’s Girl and Charmed were found to be pregnant. JoJo and Carol’s Girl have already birthed their foals earlier this spring and summer, while Charmed is still expecting and should birth her foal at any time now.

This week’s birth by Chama Wingapo was the second surprise foal this summer. Earlier this summer, Gokey Go Bones birthed her foal in late June. Charmed, who was found to be pregnant last fall, has not yet birthed her foal. Charmed’s foal will make five new additions to the Maryland side of the island.

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