North Carolina

New wild horse spotted on NC’s Outer Banks. How foal’s name honors his late dad

A newborn wild horse was spotted with his mom. He was given a name that honors his late dad.
A newborn wild horse was spotted with his mom. He was given a name that honors his late dad. Screengrab from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Facebook page

A baby wild horse was spotted on North Carolina’s Outer Banks — and became a symbol of new beginnings.

The foal was born months after the “tragic” death of his dad, whose name was Hurricane, according to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

“It was such a devastating loss, but this colt reminds us that life truly does go on,” the group wrote in a Facebook post.

Photos shared online show the young horse and his mom spending time in the sand. The foal — born Monday, April 11 — has a name that pays tribute to his late father.

“We’ve chosen the name Cyclone for him, in honor and in memory of his sire,” the horse fund wrote.

In August, Hurricane was euthanized after he became tangled in wire and had a heat stroke, McClatchy News reported. After the horse’s death, officials called on property owners to remove potential hazards.

People are also urged to give moms and babies room to bond by staying a minimum of 50 feet from the horses.

“However, we highly encourage everyone to give them even more space, especially this time of year,” the Corolla Wild Horse Fund said.

Cyclone is the fourth foal that the group has welcomed in 2022. While the other babies “have not yet made their public appearance,” Charlie the colt was the first to be spotted this season.

The Outer Banks is a series of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast. The horse fund manages a herd in the Currituck Outer Banks, near the Virginia border.

The animals are believed to have a history that traces to the 1500s, when Spainards visiting the area may have left them there, McClatchy News reported.

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This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 9:36 AM with the headline "New wild horse spotted on NC’s Outer Banks. How foal’s name honors his late dad."

Simone Jasper
The News & Observer
Simone Jasper is a service journalism reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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