In response to a proposed herd size reduction by the Arizona Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service, Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky has put forth a proposal to relocate some of the Salt River wild horses to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, aiming to find a sanctuary within the sprawling desert habitat of Scottsdale for 50-60 horses. This plan comes after the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group's contract to manage the horses has expired; who previously were stewards of the approximately 282 horses that form the herd, reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
"First and foremost, we can act with humanity and save these beautiful horses while helping meet government-mandated directives," Borowsky stated, highlighting that this initiative falls in line with Scottsdale’s identity, which the city prides on being ‘The West’s Most Western Town’ and which could bolster the city's allure on an international level however, the details of the plan are still under consideration with Mayor Borowsky stressing the importance of a thorough evaluation on the potential impacts on the preserve's land. The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has been unable to comment on the proposal due to state procurement laws, as they informed via their Facebook page.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which Mayor Borowsky notes is "more than twice the size of Manhattan and is lightly trafficked in many areas," could provide a new refuge for the horses, and the mayor believes that the key question is whether adding wild horses will enhance or harm the land, guiding the final decision on the matter, with Borowsky outlining that public input will also be a factor in the formulation of the formal proposal. According to 12News, Borowsky indicated that a preliminary report on the proposed horse sanctuary has been presented to the city manager for review.
