Congressman Walter Jones introduces bill to protect Corolla Wild Horses

Below is an article from the Outer Banks Sentinel regarding a House Bill to proetect the wild horses. Great to see some proactive efforts.

Last week U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones (NC-3) introduced H.R. 4867, the Corolla Wild Horse Protection Act.

The bill would require the U.S. Department of the Interior, the State of North Carolina, the County of Currituck and the non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund to craft a new herd management plan that would allow for a herd of no less than 100 horses.

That is the minimum number of horses that a preliminary report from renowned equine geneticist Dr. Gus Cothran of Texas A&M University says is necessary to maintain the herd's genetic viability. The current management plan allows for a herd of 60 horses. H.R. 4867 is similar to a bill that Congressman Jones authored to protect the wild horses of Shackleford Banks in the Cape Lookout National Seashore. That legislation, which became law in 1998, has provided a successful statutory framework for management of the Shackleford horses.

The lineage of the Corolla horses can be traced back to the arrival of Spanish explorers on the Outer Banks in the 16th century. These hardy horses have survived in the wild for over four centuries. They currently roam across over 7,500 acres of public and private land in coastal Currituck County, North Carolina.

"These beautiful horses are an essential piece of Eastern North Carolina's heritage," said Congressman Jones. "This bill will help protect the viability of the Corolla herd so people can enjoy them for years to come."

"The critically endangered wild horses of North Carolina have a champion in Congressman Jones," said Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

"These horses are an integral part of the history and culture of our state as well as our country. They are a symbol of American, strength, perseverance, and freedom. Congressman Jones has taken action to ensure that the wild horses of the Currituck Outer Banks will remain here not only for the thousands of national and international visitors who now travel here to see them, but for future generations as well. The depth of our gratitude is immeasurable."