Feds Slaughter Thousands of Outer Banks Horses

Just over one-hundred years ago National Geographic encountered between five and six thousand wild horses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Today only several hundred remain. The Corolla Banker horse population today is approximately one-hundred-fifteen strong. So, what happened? Where did they go?

In 1938 The National Park Service began developing land on our barrier islands, and the horses were in their way. A bounty program was put in place and the numbers soon dwindled. It is unknown exactly how many were slaughtered between 1938 and 1953 is unclear. According to sources at northernouterbanks.com in their article History of the Herd, by the late 20th century only a few dozen remained.

These horses are not only part of North Carolina history, but world history. The movements and conquests of nations could not have happened without the help of this magnificent species. The proof is in the blood, or the DNA:

"DNA testing, conducted in 1992 and 2007 and analyzed by renowned equine geneticist, Dr. E. Gus Cothran of Texas A&M University, and a physical inspection conducted by the Horse of the Americas Registry and the American Livestock Conservancy, determined that the Corolla Wild Horses are of Spanish origin and are eligible for registration as Colonial Spanish Mustangs. They are one of the oldest and rarest strains left in the world and are listed as a critically endangered/nearly extinct breed." -NorthernOuterBanks.com

Today, several local nonprofits and a handful of the tour companies are the only bridge between these horses and extinction. Millions of visitors from all over the world come every year to catch a glimpse of them. Seeing these horses is on so many bucket lists, we might need to make more buckets. The Banker horses, nevertheless remain endangered, but adored by all who see them.

Efforts to secure undeveloped habitat are ongoing and this is a story that has no ending, yet. Stay tuned...