Photo: The wild ponies of the Bronson Forest will be protected thanks to legislation passed on Thursday in Regina. – Photo courtesy of Ken Mcleod
The ponies will be protected.
This afternoon, the Sask. Party caucus issued a press release saying Bill 606, an Act to Protect the Wild Ponies of the Bronson Forest Act was passed today in the Legislative Assembly.
“The members of this house made a decision today that will preserve an important part of our province’s heritage,” said Lloydminster MLA Tim McMillan, who introduced the Act as a Private Member’s Bill a couple of weeks ago, in a prepared statement.
“This motion transcends political views and I am proud that the members voted with their hearts, not down party lines. These magnificent wild animals will continue to roam free and hopefully, with this new protection, they will also flourish in the future.”
The issue was first brought to McMillan’s attention by local rancher Bob Hougham, who showed the MLA pictures of horses that had been shot and killed and abandoned.
There are estimated to be less than 40 ponies remaining in the Bronson Forest. In 2005, that number was figured to be about 125. Colts have only a 24 per cent survival rate.
For more on the ponies, see Tuesday’s Source.