Kaimanawa wild horses to be caught

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 2

Kaimanawa wild horses to be caught

The Department of Conservation has issued two authorities for the live capture and removal of a specified number of wild horses on the outer limit of their range near Waiouru.

The Department's Wanganui Regional Manager, Jeff Connell said the authorities relate to 10 horses which are living "dangerously close" to the Desert Road and a further 17 horses which had taken up permanent residence on private farmland east of Taihape. While these horses are not in the area within which they are protected, the authorities have been issued in case they have to be pursued into the area of protection during the capture operations. Mr Connell said that wild horse numbers had increased significantly - from as few as 150 in 1981 when they first became protected, to over 700 at the present time. "As the competition for food increases, the horses are expanding their range and becoming established in areas where there may be conflicts with human

interests such as farming and road safety. We are also becoming . increasingly concerned that wild horse numbers may be expanding beyond the capacity of the area to sustain them, especially in winter. With horse numbers this high, the competition for grazing must be affecting herd welfare and productivity." Mr Connell said the authorities were an interim measure but that some additional measures may need to be taken soon to prevent a deterioration in the quality of the herd and its habitat. "We are naturally concerned for the welfare of the herd but must also acknowledge ■ our responsibilities for protecting natural values. Some of the horse herd range contains rare plants and we are presently quantifying the impact of the horses on those plants", he said.