Arizona Congressional Leaders Advocate for Humane Fertility Control of Salt River Wild Horses

Phoenix, AZ (November 23, 2016) - In a significant move, Arizona House Congressional leaders have urged the U.S. Forest Service to implement a humane fertility control program for the Salt River wild horses in the Tonto National Forest. This bipartisan effort highlights the urgency of protecting these cherished animals.

In a letter sent to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, members of the Arizona House Delegation, including Congressman Trent Franks and Representatives Kyrsten Sinema, Paul Gosar, Raul Grijalva, Matt Salmon, and Martha McSally, called for immediate action. The letter emphasizes the need for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), a division of the USDA, to approve a humane fertility control program for the Salt River horses.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group and its national partner, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), commend the Arizona House delegation for their leadership in protecting the wild horse herd. Despite state legislation signed by Governor Doug Ducey in May to protect the horses, progress on a humane management plan has been slow.

The congressional letter follows Tonto National Forest supervisor Neil Bosworth's rejection of a request to authorize the use of PZP on the herd. Bosworth stated that the Forest Service lacks authority to manage the horses, referring the groups to the State Agriculture Department, which currently does not have authority over the horses.

The advocacy groups argue that the Forest Service has the authority to authorize the PZP program for wild horses on its lands. Rep. Franks and his colleagues support this view in their letter.

The PZP fertility control vaccine, which can be delivered via remote darting, is proposed to limit population growth and maintain a healthy population within the herd's habitat on the Salt River. The groups stress the urgency of implementing PZP now to avoid future roundups.

Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, expressed gratitude to Rep. Franks and his colleagues for their support. She emphasized that using PZP will maintain the herd's health and prevent roundups, aligning with public sentiment against horse removal.

The horse advocates are prepared to begin the PZP program immediately, at no cost to the State or Federal government. Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), highlighted the opportunity for a public/private partnership to manage and protect these horses without taxpayer expense.

PZP (Porcine Zona Pellucida) is an organically derived vaccine that prevents pregnancy in female animals, including wild horses, bison, elephants, and more than 80 species of zoo animals. It does not harm existing pregnancies or affect other animals or the environment.

Over 40 wild horse advocacy groups and the Humane Society of the United States have called on the federal government to increase the use of PZP to end costly wild horse roundups. The National Academy of Sciences recommended PZP in its 2013 report on improving the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) is an Arizona non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, monitoring, and studying the Salt River wild horses. The SRWHMG leads efforts to secure lasting protections for this iconic herd in the Tonto National Forest.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) is committed to defending America’s wild horses and burros, protecting their freedom, preserving their habitat, and promoting humane treatment standards. Its mission is supported by a coalition of over 60 advocacy, public interest, and conservation organizations.