Home / Environment / Alberta Wild Horses to Test Birth Control Vaccine
Alberta Wild Horses to Test Birth Control Vaccine
10 Sep
Summary
- Health Canada approved a birth control vaccine for wild horses.
- Alberta's wild horse population is considered unsustainable.
- The vaccine is being tested for ecological management purposes.
Health Canada recently granted research authorization for the use of SpayVac-Equid, a birth control vaccine, to be administered to free-roaming horses in Alberta. This decision comes as the provincial government identifies certain wild horse populations in western Alberta, including Sundre, Ghost River, Elbow River, and Clearwater zones, as exceeding ecologically sustainable levels.
The authorization, which permits study of the contraceptive vaccine in feral horses, was received by the Alberta government on August 24. This is not an approval for general use, but rather a step in research for managing wild horse populations. The province's management framework includes contraception as one strategy, alongside capturing and rehoming the animals.
Trials were anticipated to commence in late August, with mares being monitored for three years. This monitoring will assess any adverse reactions to the vaccine and its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Health Canada also previously authorized similar trials for SpayVac-Equid in British Columbia in February.
