Help Save the Mesa Verde Wild Horses
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments on an Environmental Assessment (EA) that proposes the removal of all wild horses from Mesa Verde National Park in Four Corners, Colorado.
Wild horses have roamed the land that became Mesa Verde National Park for over a century, contributing to its natural landscape and history. Each year, thousands of park visitors enjoy observing these majestic animals, as evidenced by the numerous videos and photographs shared online.
The estimated 80 horses in Mesa Verde are not protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Instead, the NPS classifies them as “trespass livestock,” prohibiting livestock grazing under its management policy.
According to the EA, the NPS's proposed plan includes removing all horses over the next five years, primarily through bait trapping and wrangler roundups. Unclaimed horses would be offered for public or private sale, auction, or adoption, which could lead them into the slaughter pipeline.
Please advocate for the Mesa Verde wild horses. More humane options are available. Submit comments in your own words on this removal plan. Here are some suggested points to make:
- The NPS should implement PZP to slow the population growth rate, resulting in fewer horses being rounded up and removed;
- Removals should be incremental over 10 years, one band at a time, to allow for placement of the horses in sanctuaries or through adoption;
- No removals should take place during foaling season, March – June;
- The NPS should start habituating the horses to the bait traps with water; this would also help the horses during droughts;
- The NPS should unequivocally reject the use of lethal removal of the horses via gunshot and electric prods when restraining or handling the horses.
Comments are due by 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Sunday, May 13, 2018, and can be submitted at https://wildhor.se/mesaverde
The EA is available at: Mesa Verde NP Livestock Removal EA April 2018.pdf