BISMARK, N.D. (April 25, 2024) – Today, American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) applauds the National Parks Service (NPS) decision to abandon its plan to eradicate the historic wild horses from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). AWHC is grateful to Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Governor Doug Burgum, and other North Dakota elected officials for their leadership in the preservation of these iconic wild horses.
This move follows a two-year-long battle for the protection of the TRNP horses. In March 2022 the NPS proposed a “Livestock Plan” for the horse herds in the park, considering permanently eliminating the populations. Previous to the announcement of this plan, the horses had been managed by a 45-year-old Environmental Assessment. In 2023, the agency released three alternatives for analysis and public comment with an emphasis on its preferred plan to remove all wild horses from the Park in a phased approach.
AWC, along with a wide range of interested parties, including wild horse protection organization, Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates, has been involved in the fight to protect the TRNP horses, submitting public comments, launching awareness-raising billboards, and mobilizing over 20,000 members of the public to speak up for the preservation of this historic herd.
“The decision to preserve the Theodore Roosevelt wild horses exemplifies the power of grassroots advocacy, driven by citizens nationwide and supported by leaders like Senator Hoeven and Governor Burgum. AWHC is proud to have played a role in this movement,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC. “These wild horses are integral to the landscape that inspired President Roosevelt and now will continue to represent the spirit of the Badlands for years to come.”
The NPS’ decision to terminate its proposal to eliminate all wild horses from the national park follows the recently signed appropriations bill, which included language introduced by Sen. Hoeven, strongly urging the NPS to keep the horses in place and that could potentially block funding for their removal.
About American Wild Horse Conservation
American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation’s leading nonprofit wild horse conservation organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. In addition to advocating for the protection and preservation of America’s wild herds, AWHC implements the largest wild horse fertility control program in the world through a partnership with the State of Nevada for wild horses that live in the Virginia Range near Reno.
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