We believe that during a global pandemic and our imminent economic recession, with over 50 million Americans out work, it is NOT a good idea for Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) in Medora, ND to move forward with plans to capture and sell some of the wild horses they manage within their park boundaries at this time.

It is a fact that coronavirus cases continue to rise both throughout the US and within our own state of North Dakota. Our concern is for the health and safety of the horses. While past sales history shows an interest in TRNP horses, the fact that over fifty million Americans have filed for unemployment needs to be considered.

Despite whatever contingency plans TRNP park management may have, these horses will essentially be left to fend for themselves in an open area with no shelter from the elements. Furthermore, any contingency plans that involve placing these young wild horses into some kind of “foster care” program with people who have not been vetted by anyone credible is equally concerning.

There is no reason to put the health and safety of these horses at risk while we as a nation are facing the greatest global pandemic we have seen in over 100 years. That coupled with an economic recession that will no doubt negatively impact the sales and then the safety of these horses. While we understand that the numbers with respect to the horse population need to be controlled, there is no reason why captures cannot resume next year when we have gained more control and understanding of our current pandemic.