News Release

Horse Approaching Campers

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Maureen McGee-Ballinger, 701-623-4466

Update 8/7/24:  As shared in a previous update, Theodore Roosevelt National Park received a statement of intent from the individual that adopted this horse stating the animal would be provided veterinarian services to include a wellness check and any needed vaccines; horse gentling; and a home with a barn, corrals, pastureland, and fresh food and water. The horse is now on the buyer’s property in Montana and will eventually be placed with other horses there. 
 
The decision to work with the General Services Administration (GSA) to secure a negotiated sale of the animal was deemed to be in the best interest of the horse as it allowed for an expedited move, limiting holding stress, allowing for timely transport, and the opportunity to acclimate the horse to its new home.  The GSA has a website that describes the negotiated sale process (see:  Methods of sales | GSA). Further questions about the sale itself and GSA processes should be directed to Office of Strategic Communication | GSA .  
  
This was a unique situation which needed to be addressed promptly to protect park visitors. The park’s primary management approach for horses has been in place since 1978.  This plan as well as the National Park Service’s overarching Management Policies, provide for the removal of domestic livestock and nuisance animals on park lands. These policies lay out considerations for the removal of an animal and include circumstances where the animal significantly hampers park management, or when the animal creates a hazard to public safety or park resources. In this case, both thresholds were met by this individual animal. Given the established behavior of this animal in and around the horse camp, removal was made in the interest of public safety.   

We will continue to manage the park’s herd in order to provide opportunities for horse viewing into the future. 

Updated 7/25/24: The horse that was earlier corralled in Theodore Roosevelt National Park due to nuisance behavior has a new home. Park staff worked with the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure a positive outcome for this animal through adoption. Once word spread about this animal and its behavior, several people reached out to the park offering assistance to help find this animal a good home or offering to adopt it themselves.

The park received a statement of intent from the individual that adopted this horse stating that the animal would be provided veterinarian services to include a wellness check and any needed vaccines; horse gentling; and a home with a barn, corrals, pastureland and fresh food and water. This horse will also eventually be placed with the other horses on the buyer’s property, which is critical for the overall health of the animal as horses are social creatures.

The park opted for this direct negotiated bid process through GSA as the outcome was guaranteed to provide this horse a good home and proper care. The animal has now been transferred to its new owner.

MEDORA, N.D. – Earlier this spring, a male feral horse began entering Roundup Horse Camp, approaching campers and their riding stock, following riders down the trail, and interfered with the feeding and care of the camper’s horses. This animal’s aggressive behavior ultimately led to a rider being bucked from their mount. Another group of campers felt that this horse posed a risk and put it in the corral at the campground and notified park staff.  

Upon notification, park staff attempted to relocate the animal by moving it to the opposite side of the park from this campground. However, the horse found its way back to the Horse Campground the next day. Given the animal’s lack of fear of humans, his affinity for the campground, and his demonstrated negative behaviors, this animal will not be released back into the park.    

NPS actively manages problematic animals regularly and in accordance with policy and law. The disposition of such animals is guided by multiple park planning documents, including a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for removal of animals that pose a danger to visitors, cause resource damage, or become a nuisance.  

The horse is currently corralled in the park, where it is checked daily and provided food, water, and shelter. Park staff are working with the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure the best possible outcome for this animal through adoption or sale. 

This incident is unrelated to the park's Livestock Plan EA process that was canceled in April, or how the park will move forward with the herd of 200 horses in the park.