Theodore Roosevelt National Park Protects Wild Horses Amid Advocacy PushTheodore Roosevelt National Park Protects Wild Horses Amid Advocacy Push

Amid concerns from advocates over the potential removal of wild horses from North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Republican U.S. Sen. John Hoeven announced that the National Park Service has committed to keeping the beloved animals in the rugged badlands landscape. This decision comes after a process that included proposals for the removal of the horses, which drew significant public attention and support.

Senator Hoeven has secured a commitment from the National Park Service to maintain the wild horses in the park, although the specific number of horses to be kept is yet to be determined. Currently, approximately 200 horses roam the park's South Unit near the Western tourist town of Medora. The decision to abandon the proposed removal of the horses under an environmental review process begun in 2022 means that the Park Service will continue to operate under an existing 1978 environmental assessment that calls for a reduction in their numbers.

Public Support and Inclusion

Park visitors often encounter the horses while driving or hiking in the rolling, colorful badlands, a landscape rich in history where President Theodore Roosevelt himself hunted and engaged in cattle ranching in the 1880s. The decision to maintain the wild horses has received overwhelming support from the public, with thousands of people making public comments during the Park Service review, the majority of whom expressed support for keeping the horses. Even the North Dakota Legislature and Governor have shown official support for maintaining the wild horse population.

In an effort to support genetic diversity among the herd and preserve the park’s natural resources, the commitment to maintain the wild horses includes managing them in a way that supports genetic diversity among the herd and ensures the preservation of the park’s natural resources. The Park Service has reached out to the five tribal nations in North Dakota to explore their involvement in managing the horses. Notably, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has indicated interest in participating in the conservation efforts for the wild horses.

The announcement of the commitment to keep the wild horses has brought relief and joy to many advocates and supporters of the horses. Chris Kman, president of Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates, expressed tears of joy upon hearing about the decision and plans to pursue federal protection for the horses. Senator Hoeven's strong recommendation in an appropriations bill, which was recently passed and signed into law, has signaled that funding to remove the horses might be denied in the future, providing additional hope for the long-term preservation of the wild horse population in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.