April Fertility Control Update
fertility control numbers
Here are the most updated fertility control numbers:
778 Primers
909 Boosters
1687 Total Treatments
Darting and COVID-19
Can you believe it’s been almost a year since American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) signed an agreement with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) to implement fertility control on the Virginia Range? As each month goes by, AWHC is amazed at the incredible volunteers and is impressed with their dedication, hard work, and love for the wild horses.
With shutdowns, hand washing, and “staycations” in effect to flatten the COVID-19 curve, the dedicated volunteers can still be on the range either darting, documenting, or spotting! With a lot of stress and uncertainty, an abundance of fresh air, way more than the 6 ft social distancing, and wild horses are the key to boosting volunteers' spirits. How wonderful to be able to still get out and enjoy the wild horses and get the “job” done! And it doesn’t stop there…
Once the field work is finished, darters and documenters get home to their computers and start inputting darting records and updating horse records in the wild horse database. This is key to ensuring all the horses are properly identified and all volunteers have the most updated and accurate information. To complete tasks, rifles are cleaned, PZP and adjuvant are properly stored, and mixing kits are sterilized so that everything is functional for the next outing. For most of the team, that’s the very next day.
Wayne Woolway practicing proper social distancing while still getting the job done!
new Babies on the Virginia range
When the American Wild Horse Campaign entered into agreement for the fertility control program in April 2019, everyone knew there were already several babies born in the 2020 foal crop. This was due to many of the mares had been already bred back after having their 2019 foal. This was addressed in a meeting with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and everyone involved understands the disadvantage and is looking forward to seeing the impact of the fertility control efforts in the 2021 foal crop.
Of the 80 babies born so far in 2020, 72 mommas have received their full treatment for preventing conception for 2021. AWHC volunteer teams have been diligent in treating fillies as they enter their first heat, as well as continuing to inoculate the mares who have already contributed foals. This is an ongoing program, and AWHC looks forward to continuing it in partnership with the essential local groups, volunteers and the NDA.
