Feral horse management in Parque Provincial Ernesto Tornquist, Argentina

• Main Author: Alberto L. Scorolli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Utah State University 2018-04-01
• Series: Human-Wildlife Interactions
• Subjects: equus ferus caballus; feral mammals; invasive species; management conflict
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol12/iss1/11

The number of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) in the world has been estimated at 1.5–2 million, of which 5,000–10,000 occur in Argentina. Feral horses are considered an invasive alien species in Argentina, and as such, create a problem for biodiversity conservation. Only the population in Parque Provincial Ernesto Tornquist, Buenos Aires province, has been managed. In this paper, I discuss the conflicts between feral horse advocates, government authorities, and researchers that occurred after management actions were implemented and identify some factors that contributed to the conflict in positive and negative manners as well as some confusing concepts and ideas. I also summarize the studies that have been completed to describe this feral horse population demography and impact on biodiversity in Argentina. Lastly, I elaborate on the challenges impeding the future management of feral horses in Argentina.