Kaapsehoop residents plead with motorists to look out for wild horses
Another wild horse was hit and killed by a truck last week. The dead horse was found alongside the road by concerned residents of the town.
This is the third accident of this kind in the past six months. The other two horses were hit by vehicles and had to be euthanised. “And these are only the ones we know of,” said a Kaapsehoop resident, Jan Henning.
The wild horses, one of Kaapsehoop’s main attractions, roam freely along the escarpment with its cool mountain climate, which increases the risk of accidents, especially this time of the year when it gets rainy and misty.
“Sometimes we find carcasses that have been dead for weeks. Of the 14 new foals the herd in town recently hady, only four seem to be left,” said Henning. “There are various reasons for the death, like tickborne diseases and mine pits, but it is mainly truck drivers transporting wood who are the culprits.”
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“We are a small group of concerned residents who are looking after the well-being of the horses. They are a great asset to the town. Although we welcome visitors, we want to plead with them to be careful when driving around in Kaapsehoop,” said Emily Delport.
“Assume that there will be horses on the road, always. Slow down, especially in misty conditions. When the road verge has been burned, the herds gather right next to the road and cross it.”
Leon Smith said a horse will often not move away, but into a moving object which is perceived as a threat. “We understand when accidents happen, but please don’t leave the animals to suffer.
“Report it to the Ngodwana Police Station or phone the number on the information boards along the route,”
said Smith.
It is said that up to 200 feral horses roam the 17 000 hectares around Kaapsehoop.
Do not rush on this road, it may be the last thing you do, the residents of this popular town asked.
