Namibia devises plan to save wild horses on the brink of extinction

WINDHOEK, June 27 — Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism said Wednesday it will zone off sections of the Namib Naukluft Park and Tsau Khaeb National Park into wild horses management areas fenced with a hyena-proof fence.

This is contained in the Wild Horses Management Plan that will serve as a long term strategy for the management of the horses, the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said in a statement.

“The plan proposes that the horses in the Garub managed resource use zone shall be fenced off or a small sanctuary shall be provided for times of drought and severe predation, or their range extended further in the park. Regular patrols shall be conducted to scare off the hyenas and protect the horses from predation,” he said.

The plan further proposes for supplementary feeding and water provision in times of drought.
The horses have suffered from the effects of drought and predation from spotted hyenas that targets the foals. This raised concerns on how to manage and save them from extinction.

The horses are among the top 10 tourist attractions in Namibia as they embody the wild and free spirit of the country and have been the subject of numerous documentary films and are used to promote Namibia as a popular tourist destination. – XINHUA