HOUSE HOLDS HEARING ON JONES' BILL TO PROTECT COROLLA WILD HORSES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) testified at a House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife hearing on his bill – H.R. 5482 – The Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act.  The bill would provide for a new management plan for the free-roaming Corolla wild horses of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  Under the existing management agreement between the Interior Department, the State of North Carolina, Currituck County and the non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund, the maximum number of horses allowed in the herd is 60.  However, leading equine genetic scientists believe that number 60 threatens the existence of the herd due to inbreeding and low genetic diversity.  H.R. 5482 would require the parties to craft a new management plan allowing a herd of no less than 110 horses, with a target number of 120 to 130.  Congressman Jones’ full testimony can be found here: https://jones.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=200819.   

“These horses are very important to our state and culture,” said Jones.  “This year the North Carolina General Assembly designated the Colonial Spanish Mustang as our State Horse and we must make sure they survive for future generations to enjoy.”

The Corolla horses can be traced back to the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century.  For over four centuries, they have survived in the wild and currently roam across 7,500 acres of public and private land in coastal Currituck County, North Carolina.   

Karen McCalpin, Executive Director of the non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund, also testified in support of H.R. 5482.  Mrs. McCalpin’s testimony can be found here: https://resourcescommittee.house.gov/images/Documents/20100727/testimony_mccalpin.pdf

H.R. 5482 has garnered support from North Carolina Senate President Marc Basnight, Governor Bev Perdue and UNC System President Erskine Bowles.  The bill is also supported by Currituck County, the Humane Society, the Animal Welfare Institute, the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, Saving America’s Mustangs and Equus Survival Trust.