Cape Lookout National Seashore will again show visitors — from a distance — the natural behaviors of Shackleford horses during the annual Horse Sense and Survival Tours.
Led by the national seashore’s wildlife biologist Dr. Sue Stuska, participants will ride the ferry to Shackleford Banks, where they will walk a moderate-level trek off the beaten path to find horses and settle down to watch them.
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Tours that leave from Cape Lookout Visitor Center on Harkers Island are scheduled for the mornings of July 15, Aug. 12, Sept. 23 and Oct. 14. The Nov. 4 tour will leave that morning from the Island Express Ferry Services ticket booth on Front Street in Beaufort.
“This is an excellent opportunity for visitors to witness and begin to understand the wild horses,” said Cape Lookout Superintendent Jeff West in a statement. “The Shackleford horses are truly a unique aspect of what makes Cape Lookout National Seashore a special place.”
Organizers recommend preparing for a day in the sun, climbing dunes, walking through brush, slogging through ankle-deep mud and wading through deeper salt water. Bring water, lunch/snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, sun hat, binoculars, and camera with a telephoto lens in a daypack or shoulder bag. Shoes that protect your feet and stay on in the mud are required.
Space on the tours is limited and reservations are required. The program is free. Cost for the ferry is $22 for adults & $15 for ages 3 to 11.
To reserve a spot on the tour, contact Cape Lookout Visitor Center on Harkers Island at 252-728-2250 x 0 or calo_information@nps.gov. Next, contact Island Express Ferry Services to reserve a seat on the ferry at www.islandexpressferryservices.com or 252-728-7433.
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