Since the Zoom meeting last week with Theodore Roosevelt National Park, many of you have written to us or commented on our blog or posts that you were concerned that the TRNP park management’s goal is to either eliminate the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park entirely or keep them as a non-reproductive herd behind an additional fence. Many of you have likened the latter to a zoo environment. Most importantly, many of you have told us that if TRNP moves forward with EITHER of those choices, you will no longer visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park OR the state of North Dakota.
While we appreciate you sharing your thoughts and concerns with us, those are things that NEED to be said to the North Dakota Department of Tourism AND to Governor Doug Burgum. I have attached a screen shot of the governor welcoming Superintendent Angela Richman and expressing his excitement to be able to “collaborate” with her. Please let his office know that you would like them to “collaborate” with the new Superintendent in ways that keep our wild horses wild and free in Theodore Roosevelt National Park!
Your letter should go to Sara Otte Coleman, head of the North Dakota Department of Tourism (socoleman@nd.gov) and also Shelly Haugen at Governor Doug Burgum’s office (skhaugen@nd.gov)
Your letter can be as simple as:
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND. As you are aware, the park held a Zoom meeting last week to discuss their proposed “draft concepts” with the public. I am deeply concerned that these wild horses are being mis-classified as livestock. I fear that this incorrect classification will allow the park to either eliminate the wild horses entirely from Theodore Roosevelt National Park or will leave this unique herd as a non-reproductive herd, behind a fence in more of a zoo like setting than a national park.
IF the park moves forward with either of those concepts, I will no longer visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park OR the state of North Dakota. +
I do hope that you will speak on behalf of these horses and work with the park to take away the livestock classification and include a “concept” that will allow a genetically viable and historic herd of horses to remain in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for future generations to enjoy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is committed to advocating for a wild horse management plan and protection for these unique wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! We are fighting for a management plan that is guided by science especially when it comes to decisions regarding the removal of horses and the administration of birth control. Many other wild horse management plans have proven to be successful with their science-based plans. We are asking for the same for this amazing group of wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.