Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada, covering an area of 255,000 square miles - twice the size of Japan. Located in the heart of western Canada, Alberta is surrounded by the magnificent Canadian Rocky Mountains. The landscape varies with its many regions containing a range of wildlife. The Boreal Forest covers approximately half of Alberta. It can be split into three subzones: the northern boreal woodland, the main boreal forest and the southern boreal forest. The grassland region is well known for its gentle rolling hills. This region contains grass covered uplands, river valleys, marshes, shallow lakes and sand dunes. Parkland region is located in the middle of Alberta; it covers 1/10th of the province and is home to most of Alberta's human population. The foothills region is situated below the mountains. It is made up of a series of flattened hilltops leading to the mountains and is full of mixed forests of evergreen and deciduous trees. The Rocky Mountain region has fantastic mountain ranges and consists of 8% of the province. The smallest region is the Canadian Shield and is located in the far north.
Alberta hosts a diverse range of wildlife species over its regions. Some examples of native wildlife include: grizzly bear, grey wolf, bald eagle, moose, elk, and the mountain lion. However, Alberta is also home to one of Canada's national treasures, the majestic wild horse. The Canadian mustangs are a symbol of the rich heritage. Predominantly they are found in forested areas interspersed with areas of dry grassland, scrubland and sedge meadows, where they feed on a mixture of grasses. Generally the herds are made up of 5-10 horses, although smaller and larger groups also occur. Their main predators are cougars, wolves and bears that prey on the weak, old or injured. They have one other predator... man.
For a number of years the horses have been routinely culled and sent to slaughter for human consumption. The horses are culled due to their 'large' numbers and the 'detrimental' effects they have on the landscape. The horses compete for food with elk and deer as well as competing with livestock, and they can impact rangeland health and tree regeneration.
There is a debate to whether the horses are 'wild' or 'feral'. The government state they are not native to Alberta, but are descendants of domestic horses used in logging and mining operations in the early 1900s. They are also seen as stray animals under the Stray Animals Act. What is to say the horses aren't wild if they have been running wild generation after generation?
As for the effects on the landscape, the crown land is used by recreational vehicles and campers who leave garbage, motorbikes that rip up the ground and also the forestry industry, responsible for massive clear cuts (seen in above picture).
Statistics say in 1895 there were 42,257 wild horses; in 1960 it was thought there were 3000, in 1970, 1000 and in 2013, 980 wild horses. The 980 inhabit roughly 8500 sq km which is equal to about one horse every 11 sq km! Last year the number of horses observed was 880, 100 fewer that was seen the year before. This year's count has not been released yet but it is estimated around 800. Although populations may rise under favourable conditions, high mortality rates due to starvations and increased susceptibility to predation by cougars and wolves during harsh winters are perhaps limiting factors.
Across the Alberta area there are a number of zones. One zone holds around 450 horses, and it's in this area they have introduced a fertility control for the mares. Originally this was not supposed to be happening with a cull, but a cull was announced this year in a neighbouring zone holding around 240 horses.
The picture above shows one of the lucky wild horses. The Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) recently set up a rescue facility near Sundre to house capture horses. The others not taken in by WHOAS due to lack of room go to auction for members of the public or to meat buyers. They have also developed a contraceptive program for the wild mares which prevents them from conceiving for up to three years, there are a lot of discussions between people to whether this has any harmful effects on this year's foals or to the mares.
The rescue facility is run by volunteers where they "gentle" the horses and put them up for adoption. In total they rescued 28 of the horses captured. All have been re-homed apart from three who remain to get adopted. I had the pleasure of working with a few of the rescued wild horses and though nervous and weary, some were quite inquisitive and it was a pleasure to see them. Although the ideal scenario would be to see them free, they are the lucky ones and get a second chance at life, which can't be said for all the horses captured during this year's cull.
This year a total of 48 horses were captured. How many will it be next year?
