Wild horse birth control touted as humane solution to population growth

A pilot project in Alberta is using birth control vaccinations to help control the wild horse population.

So far, 73 mares have been injected withZona Stat-H, also known as PZP,a vaccine that helps to prevent fertilization with up to 90 per cent effectiveness.

The effects of the contraceptive are reversible,can be delivered remotely using small dartsand will not harm the fetus if a pregnant animal is vaccinated.

Only use on an individual for five or more consecutive years will risk sterility.

• Read more about PZP here

The project is part of a five-yearagreement signed between the Alberta government and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society in November 2014.

'Most humane' solution

"It'sthe most humane and a very effective method of controlling the numbers," said Bob Henderson, president of WHOAS.

Hendersonsaid his organization was motivated to find a better solution after being able to save just nine ofmore than 200 wild horses that were captured in 2012. Most of the remaining feralhorses were destroyed, he said.

The PZP vaccine is "used extensively" in the United States, particularly in Nevada andWyoming, Henderson said.

The province's most recent estimates count 851 wild horses in the Foothills area, compared to 880 in April 2014.

The birth control projectis being piloted in a 490-square-kilometre area ofSundreto testits effectiveness on slowing population growth.

Depending on the study's success, contraceptives could beconsidered for other equine zones.

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