Wild Horse Patrol Ranger in Canada

I have just learned about some wild horses in British Columbia, Canada, and an effort to help protect them. In Canada, there are virtually no laws to protect wild horses (except on Sable Island off Nova Scotia and some Newfoundland ponies).

In 2002, the Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government (Canadian Native Americans) made their entire Aboriginal Wilderness Preserve into a wild horse preserve. About 300 of these native people live in the Nemiah Valley area. The Xeni Gwet'in continually struggle to protect their homeland, as well as the wild horses' homeland. Horse population is kept in check by natural predators (including cougars and wolves), harsh winters and periodic roundups by the native people who train them for their own use. However, the native people have to continually battle industries such as logging, cattle ranchers and moose hunting in order to help preserve the wild horses. Today, the Xeni Gwet-in people continue to include horses in their life for economic and spiritual reasons. They are working on eco-tourism initiatives that will include cultural experiences and wildlife viewing.

A group called the Friends of the Nemaiah Valley (FONV) have worked with these native people to hire the first Wild Horse Patrol Ranger in Canada. The ranger, Harry, works part-time and watches over the wild horses, providing surveillance and protection. He also helps keep track of the number of horses and the make up of the various bands. There are plans to equip him with a GPS to map locations of horse sightings and their trails. He is a constant presence on the preserve. The FONV say that the preserve deserves at least two full time rangers but will need to get the appropriate funding for that. If you wish to support their program, please go to their donations page and select "Wild Horse Ranger" at http://www.fonv.ca/activities/wildhorserangers/donate.php . For more info about the Wild Horse Ranger Program, go to http://www.fonv.ca/activities/articles/wildhorses/.