We always need some good news, and this week it’s come in the form of an adorable new foal named Eros. The little colt was born to the wild horse herd in the Outer Banks, North Carolina and first spotted on February 12.
The non-profit that monitors and cares for the wild horses, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (CWHF), posted images and video of the baby horse on its Facebook page. The group writes in the post, “The first foal of 2024 is here! Welcome little one!”
When the foal was first spotted the gender was unknown, but it was clear that the baby was in good hands. “He/she is in excellent condition, and so is mom. She is an experienced mother ‒ the harem also includes her 2021 filly.”
The next day – February 13 – came a gender reveal post. “It’s a boy! His name is Eros.”
The wild horses are thought to have come to the area from Spanish explorers around 1500. According to the CWHF website, in 1926 National Geographic estimated between 5,000-6,000 horses roaming the Outer Banks. But today the numbers are far less, with approximately 111 (with Eros) and the herd is considered critically endangered. According to a local news outlet, the minimum population to retain genetic diversity for the herd is 110.
Baby and mom are both doing well. (Corolla Wild Horse Fund photo)
Which is all the more reason for human visitors to respect this special habitat. There have been horse deaths linked to cars and human interference in the past. As a reminder, the original Facebook post marking Eros’ birth politely warns, “Remember, if you are lucky enough to see them please keep your distance! Stress can cause all kinds of issues, including rejection and aggression from the adults. Foals are also very impressionable at this age and habituate easily. It is very dangerous for you if the mare or stallion feels threatened ‒ they will not hesitate to charge and you could be trampled, bitten, kicked, or all three. Thank you for helping us make sure this foal has the best chance at growing up healthy and wild!”
And if a polite request doesn’t deter visitors from getting too close, it’s also against the law, with North Carolina state law requiring people to remain 50 feet away from the horses or face a $500 fine.
Watch an adorable video of Eros with the zoomies here:
https://www.facebook.com/corollawildhorses.org/videos/1811164512735240
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