Health Canada has given the green light for a birth control vaccine trial on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The Alberta government deems population control essential to prevent excessive grazing pressure on cattle and wildlife areas due to growing horse populations in certain regions. Contraception is a key aspect of the province’s feral horse management framework, alongside removal from the wild and adoption initiatives.
A “research authorization” was granted to the Alberta government in late August for the use of the SpayVac-Equid contraception vaccine on feral horses, as confirmed by a Health Canada spokesperson. However, this authorization is specifically for research purposes and does not constitute general approval for use.
The province’s latest feral horse survey revealed a record 2,072 wild horses across six equine management zones, with populations in several zones deemed unsustainable. The government views these horses as stray animals rather than wildlife.
In a bid to address the population issue, a new strategy is being developed building on a previous contraception pilot project launched in 2014 by the province and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society. The earlier project involved administering a different vaccine, ZonaStat-H, through darts. Challenges included the high cost of contraception, the rugged terrain complicating monitoring and administering booster shots, and the need for a substantial portion of the female horse population to be treated for effective population reduction.
The current plan, led by the Wild Horses of Alberta Society, involves capturing horses, manually administering the SpayVac-Equid vaccine, and releasing the horses back into the wild with markings for identification. This method is expected to have a high success rate, prevent conception for several years, and maintain herd dynamics without the need for booster shots. The goal is to implement this new contraception project in conjunction with capturing young stallions to control the horse population effectively.
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society, established in 2002, focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and adopting out horses, including those that stray onto private properties. President Jack Nichol emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of various land users while ensuring the well-being of the wild horses.