As we all know, the Animal Justice Party and other supporters of horses remaining within our national parks have been strongly pushing for governments to introduce an immune-contraceptive program which they claim will control the breeding of feral horses, eventually resulting in their natural removal.
A United States four-year research project recently found that fertility control did not have the predicted effects on wild horse populations in two locations in Utah.
82,000 wild horses and burros currently inhabit public land in the United States, and a team of Colorado State University researchers recently studied the effects of gelding on a large herd. The practicalities of capture, gelding and post-operative care of wild stallions are challenging, so the researchers did well to geld 42% of the herd.
The research found that gelding did not have an effect on long-term birth rate, nor change the behavior of stallions. This study reinforces the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Management Plan’s conclusion that there are currently no reproductive control methods available that are ‘highly effective, easily delivered, and affordable’ (Plan, 2021, page 21).
ACA supports humane management of endemic and introduced species, appropriate for the area concerned. ACA recognises that the management plan will need to vary based on local needs and species, and clearly this proposed option is not a viable option. Consideration must also be given to the stresses and welfare of horses whilst being darted or receiving the immunocontraception, especially given the extreme terrain that many of the feral horses inhabit.
ACA supports removal of animals when conducted by best practice and the most humane methods. Animal welfare must be prioritised.
ACA strongly encourages government and private research institutes to continue researching more humane methods for the control of exotic invasives and feral species with the goal of implementing those methods in the near future.
Originally published: September 2022 ACE Newsletter.
