HTML Copyright © 2001-2002, awsltd.netABACO'S ENDANGERED HORSES
Bill Durrell
Over 70 people attended a presentation at the Treasure Cay Community Centre to
learn more about the condition of the Wild Horses of Abaco. The meeting
was organised by the newly formed Women On Women group led by Norma
Fehrenbach.
Milanne Rehor, Project Director and President of Arkwild, Inc, was the
featured speaker. Arkwild is a U.S. non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3)
organisation working in Abaco to save the wild horses.
The herd once numbered around 200. With the advent of logging roads through
the once isolated forests they fell victim to "sports" hunters and were
nearly eliminated in the 1960's. Three were rescued and the herd regenerated
up to about 35 by 1992. They inhabited the pine forests near the Treasure Cay
Airport and farm.
Uncontrolled feral and domestic dogs, inappropriate human behaviour, and
limited funds to provide a safe habitat continue to threaten their
survival. There are only 16 horses left.
There is a tract of Government property adjacent to the farm being
considered by our lawmakers as wild life preserve for the herd. Like many
things in government, its approval is slow in coming.
Further delay of its passage could result in disaster for the survival of
this magnificent strain of animals who almost certainly are Spanish in
origin and brought to this island by contemporaries or followers of
Columbus.
For further information please check the Arkwild's web site at
http://www.arkwild.org