Fertility Control Update
By the numbers
Total Mares Treated: 1,857
Winter weather has arrived! You might be surprised, but we welcome the storms, rain and snow, even with the range access challenges that can occur. Precipitation is needed to break the current drought streak and bring spring forage and we hope it keeps coming!
Field training for darters
We have a number of new darters in the field being trained by our veteran darters, and several who will train at the Science & Conservation Center in the spring. Each darting volunteer is required to go through a 3 day certification course in Billings, Montana. These trainees then need to meet superior standards in mixing the fertility control emulsion, a working knowledge of our scientific database, ability to accurately and safely dart the mares in the muscle of the hip, have good communication skills and ability to work with and educate the community, and so much more. Our volunteers are always learning and training, and along with their commitment to the wild horses and the program that serves them, is the big reason the project is so successful.
We always appreciate our veteran darters passing on their wealth of knowledge to our newer teammates.
Pictured are veteran darter Elena Sullivan and dart trainee Heather O’Donnell preparing to treat a wild mare. As you can see, our volunteers dart in all types of weather and terrain. We are so proud of all our volunteers who contribute to this world renown project.
Photo by Kathy Durrett