Bipartisan efforts are underway to ensure the preservation of wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Senators John Hoeven and Tim Kaine introduced a bill that mandates the maintenance of a genetically diverse herd of no fewer than 150 horses in the park’s South Unit. The bill also restricts the Interior Department from removing horses unless necessary to enhance genetic diversity, address emergencies, or protect public safety.
Additionally, the bill calls for a management plan for the horses’ upkeep to be developed within 120 days of enactment. There is also an obligation for annual public disclosures regarding the herd’s population and health. Senator Hoeven emphasized the horses’ significance, stating that they are “not only a central part of the visitor experience, but they are essential to maintaining the historic scene consistent with President Teddy Roosevelt’s time in the Dakota Territory.”
Senator Kaine drew parallels with Virginia’s wild ponies, highlighting the tourism draw both groups provide. He expressed his support for the bill, aiming to preserve the park’s wild horse population.
This legislative proposal aligns with Hoeven’s ongoing initiatives to sustain a free-roaming horse herd at the park. He has previously influenced funding legislation to maintain “the historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area.” In April 2024, the National Park Service terminated plans to remove horses from the park, ensuring their continued presence.
