Wild Horses to Remain at Salt River: A Victory for Conservation

PHOENIX - The Tonto National Forest has decided to permanently halt plans to round up and remove wild horses near Salt River, following months of public pressure and backlash.

The Forest Service initially delayed its plans to remove nearly 100 free-roaming horses in August. Tonto National Forest Spokeswoman Carrie Templin announced that the new removal date was set for December 18, but the Forest Service officially withdrew its impound notice on December 11.

According to Templin, the service aims to focus on creating a long-term management plan.

Efforts to reach Salt River Wild Horse Management Group's Simone Netherlands were unsuccessful. However, the Associated Press reported that she expressed gratitude for the decision made before the holidays.

Earlier this summer, Netherlands, who is from Prescott, suggested relocating the horses to a refuge in the Prescott area. Her group is now working on establishing a humane management plan that excludes removing the animals, and she stated that discussions will continue.

"We're very happy today," declared Deniz Bolbol, communications director for the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), a national coalition partnered with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group. "We applaud the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group for educating and rallying the public."

Through their efforts and passion, the Salt River horses have been granted a reprieve, allowing them to continue roaming the land that has been their home for over a century.

Bolbol expressed hope that a refuge will not be necessary, as the horses are to remain where they belong.

When it was announced in August that the Forest Service planned to relocate about 100 wild horses from the Tonto National Forest—citing public safety concerns and disputing their indigenous status—the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group launched a major public campaign to save the horses.

Bolbol noted that the issue is not fully resolved, as a long-term study on these horses and their origins is needed to develop a management plan that satisfies all parties involved.

In August, Netherlands stated that her organization submitted a 50-page proposal to the Forest Service, outlining a humane and sustainable management protocol for the "iconic wild horses," which includes humane birth control. The organization was disappointed that its ideas were not initially considered.

Bolbol affirmed that her organization stands ready to support the Salt River group and seeks solutions that protect both the horses and the public living around or visiting the national forest. Her organization has experience in creating public/private partnerships to assist with wild horse management.

The reason for the Forest Service's change of heart? "Public pressure," Bolbol said.

"This is a huge win for democracy," Bolbol stated. "This is what we are as a nation at its core: government responding to the people. The Arizona delegation, from the governor to senators to the House delegation, all responded to their constituents."

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was a major proponent for delaying any decision to move the horses until further study and a broader understanding of the impact of such a decision could be achieved.

"This is what the country should be about," Bolbol said. "This is a core American value. We the people rule the country."

Concerns over the horses' current location were partly based on vehicles hitting the animals on a nearby highway, causing deaths and damage.

Originally Posted By The Daily Courier