Health Canada has granted approval for a birth control vaccine to be tested on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The Alberta government deems population control essential to prevent horses from overgrazing areas crucial for cattle and wildlife. Contraception is part of the strategies outlined in the province’s feral horse management framework, along with removal from the wild and adoption.
A “research authorization” was received by the Alberta government for the use of the SpayVac-Equid contraception vaccine in late August, as confirmed by a Health Canada spokesperson. The federal agency clarified that this authorization allows the product to be studied in feral horses but does not constitute general approval for use.
The latest feral horse survey in Alberta identified 2,072 wild horses in six equine management zones, the highest count on record. The province views these horses as stray animals rather than wildlife. A previous contraception pilot project in 2014, involving a different vaccine, found challenges in administering shots due to rough terrain and high costs.
The new strategy, led by the Wild Horses of Alberta Society, plans to capture horses, administer the vaccine manually, and release them back into the wild. This method boasts an 85 to 95 percent success rate, prevents conception for several years, and does not disrupt herd dynamics. The initiative aims to manage horse populations effectively while keeping them in their natural habitat.
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society, founded in 2002, focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating horses, including those that stray onto private property. The society has taken in over 200 horses to date and continues its efforts to ensure the well-being of Alberta’s wild horse population.