WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wild horses on the Outer Banks would get federal protection under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., introduced the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act, legislation that would provide responsible management of the wild horse population around Corolla and the Outer Banks.
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Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., had introduced similar legislation in the House during previous sessions.
“A cherished part of our state’s history and an admired attraction, thousands of tourists visit North Carolina’s beaches each year to witness the majestic nature of the Corolla horses,” Tillis said in a statement released Tuesday. “This legislation will take the necessary and proper steps in protecting the health and safety of the wild animals and their habitat, while encouraging continued tourism and economic investment for our local coastal communities.”
The Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the state, Currituck County and the nonprofit Corolla Wild Horse Fund currently managing the herd to create a new management plan to care for the wild horses that inhabit the Outer Banks.
Tillis’ office said the legislation is supported by the Humane Society and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
