Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Purpose Statement

In the newsletter that Theodore Roosevelt National Park released last week, they reiterated the park’s purpose statement for everyone:

“Theodore Roosevelt National Park memorializes Theodore Roosevelt and pays tribute to his enduring contribution to the conservation of our nation’s resources by preserving and protecting the scenery, native wildlife, and wilderness qualities—the landscape that inspired Roosevelt and still inspires visitors today.”

First, we agree with those of you who have stated that Theodore Roosevelt is probably rolling over in his grave at the latest attack the park has made on the wild horses entrusted to their care!

Another question that comes up is why is the park trying to change the very landscape that inspired Theodore Roosevelt?

The park has the following quote from Theodore Roosevelt listed on their website (https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/theodore-roosevelt-quotes.htm):

“In a great many–indeed, in most–localities there are wild horses to be found, which, although invariably of domestic descent, being either themselves runaways from some ranch or Indian outfit, or else claiming such for their sires and dams, yet are quite as wild as the antelope on whose domain they have intruded.”

Also from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s website (https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/nature/horse-history.htm):

“After the park was fenced, a horse round-up held in 1954 removed 200 branded animals. A few small bands of horses eluded capture and went unclaimed. These horses continued to live free-range in the park.

For several years the National Park Service tried to remove all horses from the park. In 1970, a change of park policy recognized the horse as part of the historical setting. New policies were written and enacted to manage the horses as a historic demonstration herd. (The horses do not fall under the protection of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act which only applies to animals on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.)”

Random questions for this Tuesday morning – why is the park trying to change what Theodore Roosevelt experienced and what happened to the new park policies that were written and enacted to manage these horses as a historic demonstration herd?

Theodore Roosevelt also said, “It was here that the romance of my life began.”

For many of us, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is where the romance of our lives also began – because of the amazing wild horses that call the park home. 

Please be sure to see our new page – Save the TRNP wild horses (https://chwha.org/save-the-trnp-wild-horses/)– for important information about this process and resources you can use for your public comments that are due to the park by January 31, 2023. 

The photo above is of 2022 Filly Dreamer – laying content in the fresh fallen snow we got this past week – completely unaware that her right to lay within the boundaries of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is being threatened! Please share our posts and don’t forget to hit the donate button (https://chwha.org/support-chwha/)!  Dreamer, and ALL of the TRNP wild horses need your help now more than ever as we continue to fight for these amazing horses to stay wild and free in the only home they have ever known!

Thank you for your support!  

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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.