Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Liz Clarke
Published on 2024-02-20 08:00:53
The image of wild horses running free has long been romanticized, but the reality for the Rooisand wild horses of South Africa is far from magical. Leanne Dryburgh, a professional photographer and part of a small volunteer team, is working tirelessly to protect one of the last remaining herds of wild horses in the area, known as the Rooisand wild horses. The horses have settled in Fisherhaven near Hermanus, and are facing numerous threats to their survival.
Dryburgh recently sent out an SOS to draw attention to the dire situation facing the herd. As more people move into Fisherhaven, new developments spring up, and traffic increases, the wild horses are running out of time. The herd has been wandering onto main roads due to the removal of fencing and new areas becoming unsafe for them. Tragically, three devastating incidents have occurred in the past 12 months, including a young horse being hit by a speeding police car, another falling into a sewage pit and nearly drowning, and a young stallion being killed after wandering into an area with no lighting.
Despite working closely with authorities for eight years, Dryburgh’s pleas for help are falling on deaf ears, with only the private sector and local community members offering assistance. The urgency of the situation is evident, and the need to move the remaining wild Fisherhaven horses to safety cannot be emphasized enough.
For over 100 years, the wild horses have roamed and survived in the wetlands of the Bot River Estuary, earning admiration and recognition as a national treasure. Ecologists note that the herd fulfills an ecological function once provided by locally extinct herbivores, and they should be left free to roam in the wetland estuary as their large bodies help keep water channels open.
The origins of the horses are shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from being descendants of horses brought in by the British for combat during the Anglo-Boer war, to being descended from Boer horses hidden in the area during the same war or from horses abandoned by a local farmer. Despite their long history and unique adaptations to the coastal environment, the future of the wild horses is currently under threat.
The horses, the only ones in South Africa known to survive and thrive in wetlands, are a source of pride and admiration for many. The volunteers are now focusing on raising awareness and working towards measures to protect the horses, including the installation of “wild horses crossing” warning signs.
The work of Leanne Dryburgh and her team in protecting the wild horses is commendable, and those interested in supporting their efforts can visit rooisandwildhorses.com or email [email protected] for more information. As the urgency to protect the wild horses becomes more evident, it is essential for everyone to come together to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
