Advocates for the wild horses of the Yukon Territory are seeking official status for the equines, wanting them designated as a native species instead of feral animals.

“‘Feral’ … has a negative connotation, and just isn’t an accurate word for them, since the current wild horses have never been domesticated,” said Heather Brown, of the Friends of the Yukon Wild Horses Society told CBC News.

The society cites approximately 21 horses in an area west of Whitehorse and have been running wild for around 30 years. According to the CBC, the origins of the current horse herd is unclear; some think the horses might be descendants of outfitters’ horses, or can even trace their lineage back to the Gold Rush.

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