FOIA Records Question Sterility of Theodore Roosevelt Mares
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) in North Dakota is home to nearly 200 wild horses. For over a decade, it has served as a research site for GonaCon, a fertility control vaccine. However, recent FOIA records obtained by the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) suggest that GonaCon may have caused sterility in some mares, despite official statements to the contrary.
GonaCon and Its Use in the TRNP
GonaCon is an immunocontraceptive vaccine that prevents mares from ovulating. Research conducted between 2009 and 2020 by the National Park Service (NPS), Colorado State University (CSU), and other agencies found that GonaCon is effective in reducing fertility. However, concerns about its long-term effects, including potential sterility, have been raised.
Despite the research being largely tax-funded, the TRNP did not notify the public or invite comments before using GonaCon on all mares. This lack of transparency has been criticized, especially as the park does not respond to public inquiries directly.
Is GonaCon Sterilizing the TR Mares?
During public hearings, NPS researchers stated that GonaCon does not cause sterilization. However, FOIA records suggest that sterility was a concern among researchers as early as 2019. Emails indicate discussions about the permanent sterility of some mares and proposals for further investigation, which were ultimately rejected by the park.
Injection Site Reactions
Research has shown that GonaCon can cause injection site reactions, such as abscesses and swelling. While these reactions were common, they did not appear to affect the mares' mobility. However, further research on the long-term effects of these reactions is lacking.
Local followers of the TR horses have documented these reactions through photographs, highlighting the physical impact of the vaccine.
Conclusion
The TRNP study on GonaCon aimed to manage wild horses humanely with reversible fertility control. However, FOIA records raise questions about its reversibility and suggest that the study may have paved the way for the NPS's plan to eliminate the wild horse herd. The American Wild Horse Conservation will continue to seek transparency and updates on the use of GonaCon.