House bill would increase number of NC mustangs

Credit: COROLLA WILD HORSE FUND

Wild coastal horses, pictured here on Sunday morning, weathered Hurricane Irene well.

By: The Associated Press | WNCT
Published: February 08, 2012

» Comments | Post a Comment

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The size of the wild mustang herd on the northern tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks would be larger under a new measure in the U.S. Congress.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., says the House of Representatives unanimously passed his bill this week.

The legislation would revise a management plan for the wild horses in Corolla to allow between 110 and 130 mustangs.

The existing plan calls for no more than 60 horses in a 7,500-acre sanctuary, although there are currently more than 100 mustangs.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the horses are competing with protected bird species for resources. The horses are not federally protected.

Jones says 60 horses is too small a number to ensure genetic viability. The bill now goes to the Senate.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Reader Comments

*Facebook Account Required to Comment. If you are not already logged into Facebook, please click the comment button to do so.

Deal of the Day

Interactive Radar

Caught On Camera

Hundreds of Marilyn Monroe look-a-likes gather to break world record

A bear and moose take the path less traveled and hundreds of Marilyn Monroe look-a-likes try to break a record. The latest video and stories that will have you talking are coming up now in Take a Look At This!