Premier Alison Redford has jumped into the debate over the ongoing cull of free roaming horses west of Sundre, saying the capture program is necessary for the overall health of the wildlife and plants in the area.
"The decisions that are made (to conduct the cull) have been made in the context of the best possible use of our resources, our land management,î Redford told reporters in Lethbridge on Feb. 12.
"I understand that people do have concerns and can get quite emotional about this.î
The capture program of about 200 of the free roaming horses started last month after the province said the cull was necessary to relieve pressure on plants and wildlife in the area.
Once taken by authorized capture licence holders, the animals become the property of the holder.
In response to the premier's comments, Sundre-area Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin renewed his call for more scientific study of the free roaming horse population west of Sundre and whether a cull is really necessary.
He is calling on the minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) to find an alternative to the cull.
"Wildrose remains committed to a solution that is based on science,î said Anglin. "Premier Redford has failed to conduct a pragmatic, fact-based analysis of the horses' herd, range and patterns, which has ultimately put them at risk of being culled.î
He said his party would conduct a "best management practices study to minimize adverse impacts on the environment, wildlife and wildlife resources.î
The Help Alberta Wildies organization said that it planned to take renowned Alberta singer-songwriter Jann Arden on a flight west of Sundre on Feb. 16 to view free roaming horses.
Organization spokesperson Darrell Glover said, "We are urgently requesting ESRD immediately stop the wild horse cull, pending a review and recount. ESRD is using herd count numbers from March 2013. As a result of the record-breaking floods and snow, Mother Nature has already conducted her own cull.î
