They have already been renamed as the 'heroes of horses' because they managed to save these beautiful animals from certain death due to drought and lack of vegetation. A story with a happy ending that comes from Arizona and shows the strength of a community. But there is still a lot to do.
They have already been renamed as the 'heroes of horses' because they managed to save these beautiful animals from certain death due to drought and lack of vegetation. A story with a happy ending that comes from Arizona and shows the strength of a community. But there is still a lot to do.
At the beginning of June, Paul Lincoln outside his house he found some guests.
“There were 20 or 25 horses with their heads down and they all looked really bad. I called my friend right away Glenda Seweingyawma, because I realized they were in danger. We immediately filled buckets of water, but for many there was nothing to do, but part of the pack is safe, ”says Lincoln.
Wild horses from Gray Mountain on the Navajo Reservation north of Flagstaff have moved in herds due to drought and lack of vegetation. They traveled for miles to look for a form of sustenance.
Paul and Glenda went to work doing what they could for these horses. Before long, they created a drinking trough and supplied hay bales. But little by little, the rumor spread and the neighbors joined the cause as well.
Foto: Lori Murphy / Wildhorse Ranch Rescue
“One woman brought hay, another neighbor brought water. A few kilometers from our house, there were other people who were feeding the horses, ”she continues.
“It was then that we realized that everyone wanted to do something and noticed that the number of horses was growing every day,” says Seweingyawma.
A 'horse heroes' Facebook page of the Gray Mountain was then created so that the volunteers could communicate with each other. The group caught the eye of Wildhorse Ranch Rescue, based in Gilbert, Arizona.
“We have learned that nearly 200 horses have died due to the drought. A slow and painful death in search of water and food, ”explains Lori Murphy, co-director of the non-profit organization.
“These horses were miraculously alive: walking skeletons, dehydrated, starving from lack of forage, and some even fell dead to the ground. We cannot remain indifferent to all this ”, she continues.
It took about two weeks before the horses stopped walking like zombies and became more alert. Meanwhile, the community has created a base for the horses where while still living in the wild, they can stop and find food and water.
Foto: Lori Murphy / Wildhorse Ranch Rescue
"Unfortunately due to climate change, with the severe drought we are experiencing this year, which has drained natural sources of water across the state of Arizona, we predict that even with the monsoon rains just starting, horses may still find themselves. in trouble, ”says Murphy.
The Animal Guardian Network then launched a donation campaign to save the horses and provide them with sustenance.
Read also:
- 10 ways and reasons to fight climate change and save animals
- Climate change: global warming dwindles animals and plants
Dominella Trunfio
Foto cover: Sarah J Woodie
