Controversy and management Cumberland Island horse

cumberland horses among vegetation on island

in 1995, nps began process of developing management plan cumberland island horse. after compiling information, released draft environmental assessment in 1996 , began taking public comment on potential management plan. public opinion severely divided, environmentalists approving of management plan, have resulted in reduction or removal of herd, , animal rights activists , island residents protesting plan. however, before plan implemented, representative jack kingston included provision in federal appropriations bill prevented management of horses. kingston made change bill after touring island, without consultation nps. claimed did not see significant damage island horses, , herd size had decreased. however, upon later questioning, refused expand upon observations of damage island. provision expired in 1997, halted momentum toward park management plan. study published in 2000 recommended management strategy reduced herd populations environmentally-recommended sizes through combination of off-island adoption private owners , contraceptives. researchers recommended contraceptive use focused on female members of herd, due high numbers of bachelor stallions.

in 2009, study conducted warnell school of forestry , natural resources @ university of georgia determine public opinion on management of feral livestock (horses , pigs) on island. researchers found 68% of visitors believed horses damaging habitat of island, there no consensus on solution problem. majority of visitors tended prefer non-lethal methods of managing population, opposed non-management or complete eradication. @ time, park management felt although horses popular tourists, destructive beach ecosystems, including increase in erosion horses had eaten grasses held sand in place. 2009 npca report emphasized negative impact horses having on island environment, , endorsed study findings between 50 , 70 animals appropriate population island. however, report noted management challenges resulting public , political appeal animals , stated management plan necessary. potential solutions offered npca included eradicating herd, confining reduced herd portion of island, , using contraceptives reduce herd numbers. of april 2014, there no management plan published nps, considers herd feral, free-ranging , unmanaged .