FOUR PAWS Launches Wild Horse Birth Control Program in Danube Delta
FOUR PAWS has launched a pioneering birth control program for wild horses in the Danube Delta after over two years of negotiations with Romanian authorities. The pilot phase has begun with the vaccination of the first fifteen wild female horses.
Approximately 1,000 free-range horses inhabit the Letea forest in the Danube Delta. “Such a large population of wild horses can actually disturb the balance of nature,” says Robert Hengl, Head of the Competence Centre Horses at FOUR PAWS. “This is why we have initiated a birth control program based on a scientifically proven and humane method: immune-contraception with a special vaccine.”
This contraception method aims to maintain the balance of the local flora and fauna in Letea. Dr. Veterinarian Ovidiu Rosu from FOUR PAWS is proud to be part of this pioneering project, designed to allow wild horses to continue living freely in the Danube Delta: “This is the first time that this kind of birth control program has been applied to a population of wild animals in Europe. Our goal is to vaccinate 100 mares by the beginning of next spring.” The harsh local weather conditions will be challenging for the FOUR PAWS team. Rosu continues, “Nevertheless, the launch of the project has been well chosen as in spring, the mares could already be in foal again.”
The vaccine will stop the horses’ reproduction at a crucial level: fertilization of the ovum. The vaccine has no side effect on a current fetus but ensures that the mare will not become pregnant during the next heat cycle. The effect of the vaccine lasts for one year and, like other vaccines, needs to be renewed annually before the heat to maintain its contraceptive effect. The booster can be administered remotely with a dart gun, so the mares don’t have to be caught a second time.
To inoculate the females for the first time, the mares need to be tranquilized. Once under anesthesia, our team conducts a thorough medical check-up. The vets take blood samples and perform a biopsy for further studies. Each horse receives an ear tag for future identification. At the final stage, they receive the immune-contraception vaccine.
The medical protocol and research are conducted in close collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest and the Romanian Sanitarian – Veterinarian Authority (ANSVS), with the acceptance of the local council. Recently, other institutions such as the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj have joined to acquire more knowledge about this unique population.
The program is currently designed to last for three years. FOUR PAWS will also work towards a law that clearly defines the status of this unique wild horse population and protects these noble animals from any cruelties.
Originally Posted By Four Paws