SUNDRE — The capture of some of Alberta’s wild horses has begun, according to aerial images.
Photographers flying over the Willow Creek area near Sundre report seeing piles of hay laid out at capture sites.
Last week the province approved the capture of up to 200 feral horses because it says they are an invasive species and cause damage to the environment.
While some of the horses will be kept for breeding, others will be slaughtered.
Those campaigning against the slaughter say they will start “counter-baiting” on the weekend to lure the horses away from the capture sites.
In a statement Friday, the environment critic for the Wildrose party, Joe Anglin, says there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the cull.
“The PC government insists on moving ahead with a feral horse cull without a clear objective or enough scientific data to support a cull,” he says. “Hunting, trapping, culling and scientific tagging are very important tools in wildlife management. However, should culling be required, Wildrose would give priority to an adoption program instead of the current slaughter method the government is endorsing.”