Free-roaming horses are feral and invasive, B.C. says but biologist, First Nation argue they need protection

Wayne McCroryhas been fascinated by free-roaming horses since he first began studying them in 2001.

The B.C. biologist quickly learned the animals were an important part of the ecosystem and held cultural significance for local First Nationseven thoughthey are treated by many as "destructive intruders," he told CBC's Radio West.

McCrory's20-plus years of research onhorses in the Chilcotin plateau a remote region in west-central B.C. has now culminated in a book that he hopes will change people's attitudes toward the animals.

The Wild Horses of the Chilcotin: Their History and Futurechronicles instances of government-sanctioned culls likethe1896 Wild Horse Actthat allowed the shooting ofunbranded horses, andthe province's bountyoffers to encourageshooting of wild horses in the Chilcotin.

The lastrecorded government cullhappened in 1988.

Earlier this year, 17 wild horses were reportedly shot deadin a remote area west of Kamloops, B.C. The investigation into the shootings is ongoing.

An estimated2,800 horsescurrently roam free on the Chilcotin plateau.

According to researchers, the horses are controversial because they competewith cattle inopen-range land, while the government says they overgrazegrasslands and outcompetenative species.

In an emailed statement to the CBC,the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Managementsaid itdoes not consider free-roaming horses "wild" but "feral," meaning they are barredfrom any protection under the Wildlife Act.

"Feral horses are damaging important wildlife habitat such as wetlands and grasslands and are competing for forage with wildlife species important to First Nations, such as moose," it said.

Radio West8:03A new book by wildlife biologist Wayne McCrory highlights the wild horse population that's lasted hundreds of years in the BC Chilcotin

A new book by wildlife biologist Wayne McCrory highlights the wild horse population that's lasted hundreds of years in the BC Chilcotin

Culturalsignificance

But McCrory says the Chilcotin horses are not as destructive as the government says.

"They contribute many ecosystem services," he said in an email to CBC.

"They are part of an intact predator-prey ecosystem and are majorfood of native predators like wolves and mountain lions."

In addition, research has shown that free-roaming horses'moisture-rich dungincreases carbonsequestration, which,McCrorysays, helps in storingof atmosphericcarbondioxide, thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The horses also have arich history of interaction withthe Xeni Gwet'in, one ofsix communities that form the Tilhqot'in Nation.

The Xeni Gwet'in, who call the horsesqiyus,say they have used them for centuries to travel andcarry supplies on hunting and harvesting trips.

Former Xeni Gwet'inchief Jimmy Luluasays the horses are an important part of the nation's culture and livelihood.

"We have had a strong relationship with [them] for a long, long time," he said. "They help us continue our culture of hunting and pass it down to the next generation."

To protect the horsesfrom culls, in 2002 the Xeni Gwet'in established the ?Elegesi Qiyus(Eagle Lake Henry) Wild Horse Preservein the Brittany Triangle,an area between the Chilko and Tasekorivers. Spanning over 7,700 square kilometres, it is said to be North America's largest preserve for free-roaming horses.

Of the 2,800 free-roaming horses of Chilcotin, about 150-250 of them in the Brittany Triangle are considered to be genetically distinct,withthe rest having Iberian ancestry.

Calls for government protection

McCrory's previousstudies have shown that the small herds in the plateau show strong ties to the Canadian horse,a unique breed, which suggests the horses there are not invasive or feral.

He says all the horses in the region shouldbe protected bythe B.C. and federalgovernments.

"They are all genetically diverse group of wild horses and each contribute to the grassland health," he said.

Luluasaysthe B.C. government shouldclassify the free-roaming horsesas "wild."

"They live in the wilderness with the bear andmoose population and they are hunted by wolves," he said.

In its statement, the ministry said itcurrently playsno role in the active management of horses, but does supportFirstNation partners in management efforts, including supporting"sterilization programs and research into wild/feral horse and wildlife interactions."