📸🐴 Drone footage has unveiled a striking view of wild ponies roaming Gelligaer and Merthyr Common, nestled between Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil. With a population once soaring to 250, efforts by Wild Horse Welfare and partners have reduced it to 182, yet the task is far from over. The unchecked breeding and abandonment on the common is causing strain on resources, leaving vulnerable ponies struggling to survive.
🚁 Three drones captured the action across 3,000 hectares, showing how these majestic creatures blend seamlessly into their environment. This remarkable feat of aerial mapping is a crucial step in curbing the overpopulation crisis affecting the land and its inhabitants.
🌿 Local charities, including the RSPCA and Redwings Horse Sanctuary, are working tirelessly to relocate and manage these beautiful animals, ensuring both the ponies and landscapes thrive. The communities have shown positive feedback, welcoming these efforts to protect and nurture the ponies.
✨ RSPCA head vet Roxane Kirton highlights the importance of this drone footage: It not only gives us numbers but insights into the herd’s dynamics, such as the foal and youngster proportions. This data is invaluable in devising strategies to support pony welfare and manage populations effectively.
❤️ The ongoing conversation is a testament to the passion and commitment of those striving to preserve these beautiful animals and their habitat. The journey continues as we keep an eye on the common and its inhabitants, with the hope of securing a better future for them. 🐴🌍
[📸 Credit: Wild Horse Welfare]