Last Updated on February 18, 2026 by adminahb
A yearling filly stands near her dead mother – one of nine federally protected Heber Wild Horses recently shot and killed in the area. Photo courtesy: Betty Nixon, Friends of the Heber Wild Horses.
During National Justice for Animals Week, we are reminded that justice includes accountability for crimes against protected wildlife — including America’s wild horses.
In late January, nine protected wild horses were found shot and killed in the Heber Wild Horse Territory within Arizona’s Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest.
After the horses were discovered on Forest Service land, necropsies were conducted to confirm cause of death. The U.S. Forest Service is treating this as a criminal investigation and is offering a reward for information leading to those responsible.
This isn’t the first shooting incident in the Heber WHT – and is another devastating loss for this small, isolated herd.
At the same time this investigation unfolds, the Forest Service has just issued a Decision on its Environmental Assessment calling for the population to be reduced to an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 50–104 horses. A roundup could begin as early as March — raising concerns about the long-term genetic health of Heber’s small herd.
We’ve posted a full update on our website, including:
• Details about the investigation
• Reward information
• Background on the Heber Wild Horse Territory
• What the new EA means
Click here to read the full update.
We will continue to monitor both the investigation and the management plan closely.
Thank you for caring about America’s wild horses.
The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.org