By RTF Team | Project Leader
If you have been seeing our quarterly reports, you know that since the Gila Herd was rescued by RTF in 2017 they have been on the move until settling into their current 2 locations. The horses were originally captured from the Painted Rock Herd Management area in Arizona in 2003. When the South Dakota sanctuary which had taken them in foundered, RTF spearheaded a campaign, working with other rescues and individuals, to get all the nearly 900 endangered horses into secure situations. RTF spoke up for the 120+ Gilas.
The herd traveled from South Dakota to Nevada to Northern CA , and moved from one location to another there when the first boarding location was sold. Then, when a private ranch owner in Shasta County, CA, generously opened his gates to 64 herd members, part of the herd has settled in there over the past few months. Weather there has been above normal temperatures, with below normal precipitation. Many of the major projects and work there to prepare it for the herd has been completed, although there is always routine maintenance, such as fence repair. RTF’s biologist, Celeste, will begin administering birth control at both Gila locations on first of March. This is the same non-hormonal and reversible fertility control we have been using with success at RTF headquarters for over a dozen years.
Because the Gila horses are situated firmly for now, you may notice that we have changed the name of this project to “Care for the Rescued Gila Herd”, from “Transport the Gila Herd to CA”. These are the same horses, and they are thriving in their current homes. Great care was taken to identify the herd members who needed to stay together, so there are no issues with the herd’s current division. All are happy in their respective locations.
When RTF first took in the Gila’s, we went to great lengths to determine their lineage and genetic significance through DNA testing and phenotyping, in the hope that the herd would be a good candidate for a dedicated conservation organization to take them over. That did not turn out to be the case.
Because of our hope that they would be candidates for a conservation program, we originally planned to be responsible for their care for a maximum of 2 years, until a program could be established. Now that is not an option. Removing them from the danger of auction and probable slaughter into our care significantly increased our expenses by over a third, and it has been a challenge to shoulder the additional financial needs. But many supporters, caring people like you who read these reports, are the reason that the Gilas have not only survived the danger, but have found a happy, peaceful and safe home. As long as people care, the Gilas will survive and thrive. We hope that you will continue to keep them in your thoughts when you consider a project to support. They have lost a lot in their lives, and they deserve the stability that together, we can give them.
We hope you enjoy the video showing the Gilas eating their hay in the snow in Shasta. It’s because of our supporters that they can count on their meals. We are grateful for you every day.
Thank you for standing with the Gila Herd!
All of us at Return to Freedom
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