A proposal to relocate Salt River horses from the Tonto National Forest into 600 acres of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve may appear compassionate, but it is a poor fit for the land, the ecosystem and the city’s long-term responsibilities.
The Preserve was created to protect native desert landscapes and wildlife. Feral horses are not native to the Sonoran Desert and would cause serious harm. They overgraze fragile vegetation, compact soil and spread invasive plants like red brome, which fuels wildfires and crowds out native species.
Claims that horses enhance biodiversity or reduce fire danger are not supported by science. In reality, their presence degrades the land and increases ecological risk. Horses would also displace native animals. They compete with mule deer and others for scarce food and water, gathering at limited sources and reducing access for wildlife…