North Carolina's Wild Horses: Challenges of Isolation and Controversy

The Struggle of North Carolina's Wild HorsesThe Struggle of North Carolina's Wild Horses

North Carolina's wild horses, iconic symbols of the Outer Banks, face numerous challenges due to isolation and human interference. These majestic creatures, believed to be descendants of Colonial mounts, have survived for centuries but now confront serious threats from genetic inbreeding and development pressures.

Retired Washington, D.C., police Officer E.T. Smith patrols the beach in his four-wheel-drive truck, watching over the wild mustangs and protecting them from harassment. These horses have thrived on the narrow barrier island for around 500 years, thought to be descendants of Colonial mounts that swam ashore when Spanish galleons ran aground. Despite enduring hurricanes and nor’easters, they now face threats from vacation home developments and federal policies leading to inbreeding and genetic deformities.

“Mass interaction with people is a killer,” Smith noted, highlighting the dangers posed by tourists. The government views the herd as pests competing with federally protected birds, leading to nationwide clashes between horse advocates and the Interior Department. In North Carolina, the mustangs are endangered by tourists, developers, and birth defects. A 2012 DNA analysis by equine genetics expert Gus Cothran warned of dangerous inbreeding within the Corolla herd.

Two of eight foals born last year had birth defects, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which manages the herd. One foal, with multiple leg fractures, was euthanized. This year, two foals were born, one with severely contracted tendons, requiring medical treatment that saved him but prevented his return to the wild. Vivo, the colt, and his mother now reside in a mainland facility to avoid disease transmission to the herd.

Nuisance or Icon?

“We have one of the highest levels of inbreeding and lowest levels of genetic diversity of any wild herd anywhere,” said Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., has championed the cause, with the U.S. House passing his bill to expand the herd and introduce fresh genes from the Shackleford Banks. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opposes the bill, citing competition with native wildlife in the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

Pressure mounts for a solution, with the Fish and Wildlife Service planning a new study on genetic diversity and habitat capacity. The agency acknowledges the Corolla herd as an important icon, despite previous reluctance to prioritize horses over other wildlife.

‘Don’t Tread on Me’

The Outer Banks offer a unique experience where vacationers can watch wild mustangs from their homes. However, balancing horse preservation with development is challenging. Once numbering up to 6,000, only two main herds remain, including the Corolla herd, a major tourist attraction.

The herd's habitat includes over 700 houses, with the beach serving as a public road. Vacationers often disregard the ordinance to stay 50 feet from the horses, considered critically endangered by the Livestock Conservancy. McCalpin notes the difficulty in recruiting volunteers to ensure the horses' safety due to confrontations with tourists.

Smith, undeterred by intimidation, volunteers to patrol the beach, educating vacationers and occasionally using contraceptive darts to control the herd's growth. He recounts incidents of horses tangled in cables and chased by dogs, highlighting the ongoing threats they face.

For Smith, protecting the horses is personal. After his wife's passing, he found solace in his daily patrols, despite frequent confrontations with those who disregard rules. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the wild in an increasingly developed world.

“People are being crowded into corners,” Smith said, observing a horse grazing near a vacation home. The struggle to protect these wild horses continues, as they symbolize a connection to nature amidst rapid development.

Originally Posted By McClatchy News

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