We are members of the Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS), a non-profit organization actively engaged in an effort to conserve the wild horses of Alberta. Currently the Honourable Minister Diana McQueen, minister of environment and sustainable resource development (SRD), is undecided about issuing cull permits to trappers to further remove Alberta's wild horses from the Western Foothills and Eastern Slopes of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. Once the decision is made the permits issued to trappers will be as early as November 1, with the trapping season starting December 15.In the past two winter seasons over 350 head have been captured and sent to slaughter. This is an indiscriminate cull taking foals, pregnant mares and stud horses. These permits are issued to trappers who construct catch pens, and illegally bait the traps with hay and salt to lure the horses in. Once they are captured they are herded into trailers and taken to the kill floors.WHOAS was able to buy a few head from these trappers, eventually offering them for adoption, but due to limited facilities, relying on members and donations, resources are limited. Estimates from the office of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development state there are fewer than 770 head left in the wild. We are not certain how these numbers are calculated as there never has been an official study on population numbers.Taking into consideration foal mortality, due to Alberta spring weather and predators it will take years for these numbers to replenish. The hardest hit area last winter was the Panther River, Ghost Reserve Area. Where there once were great bands of horses roaming free in this area, only a few horses remain.This has impacted tourism to the area many times over. Tourists consisting of Albertans, and people from other provinces and several countries from around the world (Germany, Holland, Bulgaria, Belgium, South Africa, Australia) have come to the area expecting to view the wild horses, along with the other flora and fauna. They leave disappointed to witness the destruction and greatly reduced numbers of wild horses.Travelling in private vehicles, tour buses, taking a trail ride into the backcountry, booking accommodations at a local outfitters etc., have huge effects on the local economy continuing for years to come. Please write or call the Honourable Minister of Tourism Christine Cusanelli, and let her know how important wild horses are for Tourism Alberta and the Alberta economy.Wild horses have been a part of the West Country of Alberta dating back to the 1800s. These free-roaming horses have evolved over the years and with natural selective breeding created a gene pool distinct to Alberta.Were you aware these same horses were captured during the First World War, taken to Europe and served as mounts for the military? Does this not say something for their ruggedness and hardiness?These same wild horses are an integral and natural part of the ecosystem assisting in the control of wildfires, grazing the cutblocks, a natural food source for the grizzly (protected species), black bear and wolves.The whole ecosystem has been disrupted now with 31 per cent of the total herd taken to slaughter in the past two seasons. The wild horses of Alberta do cohabit naturally with the elk, moose and deer.Support from Albertans and Canadians is required to prevent the cull of 2012/2013, and bring forward the motion to create an Alberta Heritage Species Act. We urge you to contact the Honourable Minister Diana McQueen, SRD, the Honourable Christine Cusanelli, minister of tourism or your local member of the legislative assembly to stop this potential slaughter. Currently the Government of Alberta considers these animals a feral species even though this species is unique to Alberta.Please urge the ministers and/or your local member of the legislative assembly to promote them to have their status changed. This would represent the first such legislation in Alberta. The wild horses of Sable Island are a protected species, recently the Government of Saskatchewan has brought in legislation to protect their wild ponies and the Newfoundland Pony is protected though legislation by the Province of Newfoundland. Why is the Government of Alberta so lagging in this recognition and protection of our native free-roaming wild horses?For more information or to assist in the support of the wild horses contact the Honourable Minister Diana McQueen, the Honourable Christine Cusanelli, your local MLA or me. We welcome your feedback and support.Wayne Krejci, Shelby MacKenzieWHOAS, Site 3, Box 2, RR 3Innisfail, ABT4G-IT8
