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News
l March 2007 |
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Loose
Wire almost becomes fatal
An experienced Wild Horse stallion has sustained
severe injuries to his right hind leg. "The wound
looks as if he got caught in the loose end of a wire",
biologist Dr Telané Greyling explains. She thoroughly
studied the Wild Horses of the Namib for years and continues
to monitor the herd at intervals. During her last visit
in early January she noticed even from a distance that
the approximately 20-year-old stallion was unable to properly
bear weight on the hind leg. On closer inspection Greyling
immediately realised why: an ugly wound, caused by chafing,
and bad swelling. "The wire must have tightened like
a noose and disrupted blood circulation in the lower leg,
but apparently the stallion was able to free himself after
a few minutes. This was lucky for him because otherwise
the blood vessels in his hind leg would have been damaged
beyond healing – and we would have had to put him
down."
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Good
grazing conditions are another stroke of luck for
the injured stallion, called Nevarre by Greyling.
After last year’s exceptional rainy season
there is still plenty of grass even in close proximity
of the drinking trough at Garub. "Nevarre finds
enough food without having to move very far",
says Greyling. "His chances of recovery are
very good.
When I came for my inspection visit a few days ago
he already ventured up to 5 km from the trough."
Navarre had to leave his little 'breeding group'
(a mare, himself and his son), however; his son
has taken over the role of protective stallion.
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The stallion 'Nevarre' bearing an open wound in
the beginning of January. Photo: Telané Greyling |
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Fences and loose
wires hold considerable danger for the Wild Horses. "In
1998 a yearling filly sustained such severe injuries when
running into a fence that it had to be put down",
the biologist remembers. But game, too, gets ensnared
in wires at times and suffers a gruesome death. |
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© 2007 Nature Investments (Pty) Ltd |
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- More pictures at www.namibhorses.com
- For a detailed media release see
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www.gondwana-desert-collection.com
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