Wild Horse Advocacy Group Signs Agreement with Alberta Province

A group advocating for Alberta’s free-roaming horses has entered into an agreement with the province to “humanely manage” the population by starting both contraception and adoption programs.

The memorandum of understanding between Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society will allow the group to help manage horses in the Sundre area.

“It’s a five-year agreement,” said Duncan MacDonnell, spokesman for Alberta Environment. “The agreement allows Wild Horses of Alberta Society to undertake two experimental programs to help control the wild horse populations.” But it doesn’t necessarily preclude another capture season this spring, he said, noting that decision is still pending.

Provincial officials have maintained the horse population needs to be balanced with the health of the grasslands — a position that led to controversy last spring as the province allowed a six-week capture season for up to 196 horses that could be kept for personal use or sent for slaughter. Only 15 animals were rounded up by two ranchers, but it led to protests by wild horse advocates, who suggested there were fewer animals than the province reported.

The official 2014 count showed there were 880 horses in the foothills between Kananaskis Country and Sundre, down about 100 horses from the previous year. It led activists and conservationists to suggest last spring’s capture season was unnecessary.Throughout the debate, others suggested the province try other methods to manage the population.

The agreement between the province and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society includes a contraception program targeting female horses and an adoption program allowing the organization to take in and adopt out any young horses.

Bob Henderson, president of the society, couldn’t be reached for comment, but a news release issued by the group said it’s excited about the opportunity to help manage the horse population. It noted that the contraception program will select a limited number of mares to receive a vaccine to prevent pregnancy for up to three years without disrupting the herd structure and dynamics.

The adoption program will allow the group to take in any young foals that have been abandoned or injured. It also allows rescue of any horses that stray onto private land or roadways. The programs will all be run on donations from the public, including eight hectares of land, where a safe handling facility will be built.

Officials with the province said the Wild Horses of Alberta Society will be required to show results from both programs over the five-year period.

Source: Calgary Herald by Colette Derworiz

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