Corolla Wild Horses being pushed to the brink

The Corolla Wild Horses, Outer Banks' most recognized and popular residents, have been upgraded in their status, which is not a good thing. According to Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Wild Horse Fund, the herd has been moved from Critical to Critical/Nearly Extinct. Below is an email from McCalpin explaining the status change:

After consulting with Dr. Sue Stuska, National Park Service, manager of the Shackleford Banks Banker strain Colonial Spanish Mustangs, I have notified the Equus Survival Trust today that our horses unfortunately qualify to be moved from critical status to critical/nearly extinct. This category requires fewer than 100 active breeding mares. Even combined with the Shackleford mares, we have fewer than 100 between the two wild herds. It is becoming more imperative than ever that we employ every effort and strategy to maintain a large enough herd in Corolla for genetic viability, while increasing our efforts to create off site breed conservation programs. Our primary mission however is to keep these horses wild and free for as long as possible. A herd size of 60 will not allow that. Please be assured that we continue to work diligently for that change. The American wild horse continues to be under siege across the country. We must do everything that we can to hold on to and protect our heritage horses.



Karen H. McCalpin
Executive Director
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
P.O. Box 361
1126 Schoolhouse Lane
Corolla, NC 27927
252-453-8002
www.corollawildhorses.org