December 13, 2024: The Alberta Provicial Government, under the Minister of Forestry and Parks, and the Rangeland Department, have decided to begin removing wild stallions and darting 90 mares with a 3 year contraceptive, by implementing a new 2023 wild horse management framework that is using "imposed" (non-scientific) (extremely low) poulation thresholds to trigger their culls.

It has been widely proven that the wild horse population was already in decline through natural causes and predation. There is no need for further intervention, .... unless of course, you have a reason to want to speed up the decline. Personal agendas such as the one of our Minister, who is an Outfitter for big game hunters, is certainly to be considered as a driver for quicker population declines. This is without a doubt, a blatant conflict of interest on the part of this Minister, and he should be immediately removed from this portfolio.

With less than 1500 wild horses roaming the Foothills of Alberta, the Government is aiming at 1100, as the first major reduction level. They will not stop until the wild horse population is no longer sustainable, which will lead to eventual extinction. Total eradication was their original plan a decade ago, until the advocates stood in the way. The time in NOW, to do that again.

Dear J….

The Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta forwarded me a copy of your email regarding feral horses in Alberta. As Minister of Forestry and Parks, I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

To be clear, there is no cull, and we have not considered a cull.

Furthermore, it is important to note the government is following the Feral Horse Management Framework – which was developed through the Feral Horse Advisory Committee that includes feral horse advocacy groups, academics, wildlife advocacy groups and other experts. Groups including Wild Horses of Alberta Society, the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, the Help Alberta Wildies Society, the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, the Alberta Wildlife Federation, and the Alberta Wilderness Association were all at the table and helped create the framework. More information about the framework and the committee is online at www.alberta.ca/feral-horse-management and www.alberta.ca/feral-horse-advisory-committee.

In fact, as part of the consultation process, the department held more one-on-one meetings with feral horse advocates than with any other stakeholder present. Their voice, and the insight and research they provided was well represented in the final Framework.

The committee considered scientific research from dozens of academic, peer-reviewed sources and several experts, including academics from the Universities of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Calgary. The office of the Chief Scientist also examined over 150 academic, scientific, and related papers and provided these to the committee to support the development of the framework. A summary of the key scientific findings is available on the feral horse website, noted in the paragraph above.

To keep horse populations in line with the guidelines set out in the Feral Horse Management Framework, using management practices outlined in the framework, the province will pursue adoption – with some horses being selected to go to good homes, and contraception programs – with some horses being selected to receive a one-time vaccine that is effective for an average period of 1-3 years. These programs will only be pursued in the equine management zones where populations are above levels determined by the framework.

When this approach was launched in 2016, it was unanimously supported by horse advocacy groups – and referred to as “the most humane and effective method of controlling the numbers,” in a July 19, 2016, CBC news interview.

In January and February 2025, the ministry will once again conduct the feral horse survey to gather additional data on the population and range of feral horses. The Feral Horse Management Framework recognizes that feral horse populations must be managed as with all domesticated animals and wildlife. Populations like elk, deer and moose are managed to prevent overpopulation and impacts to the landscape. Cattle are not allowed to roam, graze, and populate freely. Their grazing is managed by agrologists and restricts them to clearly defined fenced pastures designed to ensure the land remains healthy and productive.

Alberta’s government is committed to protecting our native wildlife, vegetation, and preserving feral horses. The solutions we’re exploring are aimed at ensuring they can thrive and coexist in their ecosystems – all while maintaining healthy landscapes.

Sincerely,

Honourable Todd Loewen
Minister
Forestry and Parks
780 644-7353
Email: todd.loewen@gov.ab.ca

Smith, Danielle, Honourable Premier,
307 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-2251
E-mail: premier@gov.ab.ca

Simieritsch, Rob Executive Director
Lands Delivery and Coordination South
Forestry and Parks
Phone: 403 297-8713
Email: Rob.Simieritsch@gov.ab.ca

Alexander, Mike
Director, Rangeland Conservation and Stewardship Section
Range Conservation and Stewardship Section
Forestry and Parks
Phone: 403 382-4299
Mike.Alexander@gov.ab.ca

Cartwright, Kelsey
Rangeland Program Specialist
Range Conservation and Stewardship Section
Forestry and Parks
Phone: 587 574-9930
Kelsey.Cartwright@gov.ab.ca

Contact Us
Office of the Ethics Commissioner
Suite 1250, 9925 – 109 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2J8
Telephone Number: (780) 422-2273
Fax Number: (780) 422-2261
E-mail Address: info@ethicscommissioner.ab.ca

With your help we've saved 16 horses in the last few months -- horses who would otherwise have been shipped directly to slaughter -- and we currently have room to save 4 more.

Thank you to all who have so generously contributed!

UPDATE JAN. 18, 2025:  It’s been a challenging whirlwind but 16 horses have been saved, 2 placed in permanent homes which means we have room to save 4 more!

Of course, the initial expense of buying horses from First Nations (or kill buyers) so they are not shipped to slaughter is not the biggest nut to crack. Hay, feed, vetting, farrier, and other costs are needed in addition to funds to initially purchase horses to prevent them from being shipped to slaughter - or being left to languish in pens awaiting the same fate.

We always hate to ask but if you are able to help we would love to be able to fill each of the foster homes before these groups of horses are shipped.

Again, we can’t save them all but with your help we can save a total of 20!