A Corolla wild stallion featured in a video fighting with another stallion has been euthanized after being struck by a vehicle on the North Carolina tourist beach.
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund received a 911 call at 11:30 p.m. on Friday that a horse standing on the beach had been struck by a vehicle. A beach visitor who was surf fishing witnessed the incident and reported it to officials. No other wild horses were injured and the driver of the vehicle was arrested.
Ten-year-old Bullwinkle, who was featured in a Fund video on Thursday which showed him challenging another Corolla wild stallion for mares, sustained multiple severe and life-threatening injuries. Trauma to the skin on his right side and back was visible, his right hind leg was fractured at the lower femur, his left hind leg was traumatized with later destabilization of the hock with collateral ligament injuries, allowing the leg to bow outwards. Bullwinkle suffered significant internal trauma and blood in the abdomen that was confirmed after he was euthanized.
The Fund’s veterinarian came early Saturday to humanely euthanize Bullwinkle.
“He was in the prime of his life, and went from being a symbol of what it means to be wild and free to a tragic example of how irresponsible, reckless human behavior can cause pain, suffering, and irreparable damage to the herd in an instant. Bullwinkle will never produce any foals. His genetics are gone from the herd forever and with such a small, endangered population the ramifications of that will last for generations,” the Fund posted on Facebook today.
According to the Fund, Bullwinkle “died as wild as he lived,” having refused intervention and remaining wary and defensive even as he laid on the dune and was unable to stand.
“The fight drive that he was always known for never left him, right up to the end. He was exactly what a wild Banker stallion is supposed to be, and we are glad that he at least never had to leave the beach — he was never meant to. He was buried at the edge of the meadow where the video from Thursday was filmed. There is not much comfort that can be found in anything about this tragic incident, but we are at least grateful that we could help him pass without further suffering and provide him with the respectful and dignified burial he deserved.”
The Fund thanked everyone who helped late Friday night and early Saturday morning, especially the visitor who called 911 and made it possible for the driver to be arrested.
The Corolla wild horse herd has suffered several losses in the past year, including two horses, Junior and Moxie, to colic in June 2024, a foal named Elsa in early June and 25-year-old mare, Daisy, who died of natural causes in December 2023.
Related stories:
Corolla wild horse herd loses two members to colic (augustafreepress.com)
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Rebecca Barnabi
