ASSATEAGUE — An Assateague foal, orphaned following a hit-and-run collision on the Maryland side two weeks ago, changed statehood this week when she was transferred just across the border to Virginia.
On July 6, the popular mare Moonshadow was found dead by a park employee in the oceanside campground at Assateague Island National Seashore. It is believed Moonshadow succumbed to injuries sustained in a hit-and-run collision with a vehicle sometime the week prior. Moonshadow’s three-month old foal, known only thus far as N2BHS-CPK, was also injured in the collision and was left partially lame.
This week, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the orphaned foal injured in the low-speed hit-and-run collision has been relocated to the Virginia side of Assateague Island, where she will be monitored and cared for as needed. The wild horses on the Maryland side are just that and are generally left to the whims of nature, and although they are counted and monitored and looked after, NPS officials rarely intercede on behalf of their overall health unless some man-made situation occurs.
Such was the case with the foal orphaned and injured in the hit-and-run incident earlier this month. The foal was left slightly lame from the collision and had been observed grazing and apparently in good health. However, given her young age, the foal was a significant disadvantage with the death of her mare, Moonshadow.
According to NPS wildlife experts and veterinarians, foals generally nurse more than three months and are still learning to graze, as well as integrate socially into the herd. After consultation with NPS wildlife experts and veterinarians, the decision was made this week to relocate the foal to the Virginia side of the barrier island to improve its chances of survival.
All of the shores latest news. Days late.
This sounds inhumane if the colt was injured & considered lame and having loss the mother so young would it not be better to put with a tame farm mare until it can be returned to the herd?
Maybe they need to make the park rangers do their job instead of sitting in the air conditioning. There was 12 cars stopped at the foot of the bridge one day two weeks ago blocking traffic. Signs were posted that no stopping was allowed. Signs were posted stating $100 fine for stopping. No rangers in sight. Cars were there for at least 25 minutes