Three wild horses that died of gunshot wounds were found on public land near Sundre, Alberta, on New Year’s Day. The discovery has prompted an area wild horse advocacy group to offer a reward for information on the perpetrator. The three equine victims bring the total number of Alberta wild horses shot in the past three years up to 16.

Bob Henderson, president of the Wild Horses of Alberta Society, a group that advocates conservation and humane treatment of wild horses, is offering more than $6,000 as a reward, an amount that was bolstered by public donations.

“We had $500 available to find the people responsible,” said Henderson. “Now, between people and companies (contributing) it’s over $6,000.” He called the support “really heartwarming.”

Henderson and his wife discovered the dead horses during a trail ride on New Year’s Day. The mare and two foals were part of a group the Hendersons had seen and photographed previously.

He added that all 16 dead horses have been found within a mile radius.

Dave Ealey, a spokeman with the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Department, said horses are not the only animals in the area being targeted.

“We’re feeling difficulties with our indigenous wildlife there as well,” Ealey said. “We had between 10 and 14 moose poached, and a number of them were just left to waste.”

According to Ealey, Alberta’s wild horses are descended from stock brought in by loggers in the early 1900s. The Department has been conducting surveys of its population for the past 25 years, and it has recorded up to 450 horses. Typically the population is 200-300 horses. Capture permits–through which members of public apply for licenses to capture the horses–keep the population numbers steady.

Ealey said around 20 horses are removed each year. Permit holders can rope or use corrals to capture the horses–firearms and snares are not permitted. They must also capture three studs for every mare brought in. The department does not grant permits when the population is less than 200 horses for two consecutive years.

“By setting the techniques the way we have and setting the ratios they need to meet, we’re basically establishing a very limited approach to the capturing,” Ealey said.

Ealey said there are criminal code penalties for shooting wild horses that are different than those in place for wildlife poaching.

“Basically the legislation is that it’s illegal to shoot or hunt horses,” Ealey said. “The criminal code allows the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) to lay charges if they’ve got sufficient evidence. We’re trying to get information from the public for anything they have on who’s doing this.”

“Somebody must know something out there,” continued Ealey. “Tell us if you have anything, and we’ll try to do something to stop this. Certainly, the matter of public censure that would hopefully have a bit of influence.”

Ealey said anyone with information should contact the RCMP (800/222-TIPS) or forest officers in the Sundre (403/638-3805) or Rocky Mountain House (403/845-8272) districts.

Henderson also welcomes information on the shootings, and he can be contacted at bob1603@telusplanet.net.  

For more information on Alberta’s wild horses from the Sustainable Resource Development Department, see www.srd.gov.ab.ca/land/m_feral_horses.html.  

Click here to see the Web site of the Wild Horses of Alberta Society