Another Outer Banks wild horse has died after being struck by a car, NC officials say
For the second time in two weeks, one of the wild horses roaming North Carolina’s Outer Banks has died after being struck by a vehicle, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
It happened around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, near Corolla, and the mare was accompanied by her 11-month-old foal, officials said.
“After arriving on the scene our veterinarian determined that the mare, named Cora Mae, had fractured her tibia in multiple places. She was humanely euthanized,” the Corolla Wild Horse Fund reported in a Facebook post.
“The driver of the vehicle also notified the sheriff’s department and a deputy was dispatched. ... Please understand that this was truly a terrible accident and all parties involved are devastated. We ask that people please be respectful as all of us — including the driver of the vehicle — cope with this loss.”
Cora Mae’s foal, named Cosmos, will be 1 year old Sept. 15. He is being left in the wild with his father — for the time being, the fund reported.
“While this isn’t the way we like to see foals weaned, he is old enough to survive on his own,” officials wrote.
“He is still with his dad Surfer who will take excellent care of him as long as they stick together. We will be keeping a very close eye on him and will intervene if it seems like he’s struggling, but as of right now we are hopeful that he will acclimate just fine.”
Cora Mae’s death occurred just 13 days after a wild stallion had to be euthanized after a suspected a hit-and-run car crash near Corolla Beach, the fund reported in a July 24 Facebook post.
A witnesses reported the 9-year-old horse, named Thicket, was refusing to move and closer inspection revealed a badly broken elbow, the fund said. Pieces from vehicle were also found nearby, officials said.
The loss of any horse on the island has a significant impact, because the herd includes only about 100 horses, the fund says.
“Cora Mae was in her teens, and one of the top producing mares on the beach,” the fund reports. “She was an excellent mother and her offspring are all extremely well-bred. Cora’s loss will have a significant, lasting impact on the wild population.”
Three of her offspring remain in the wild, while a fourth lives at a farm operated by the nonprofit fund. The farm serves as a permanent home for wild horses treated for life-threatening illnesses.
This story was originally published August 6, 2023 at 6:28 AM with the headline "Another Outer Banks wild horse has died after being struck by a car, NC officials say."