July 31, 2011 – Updates

Today is the fourth anniversary of my blog. On July 31, 2007, I did my first post “Durango & Medicine Bow“. This year, Durango has been elusive. Sightings of him were rare through the spring, and he hadn’t really been seen thus far in the summer. His sons, Hidalgo and Jalisco, are now full time bachelors; they are often seen out on Mustang Flats. Earlier in the month, Jared came upon the remains of Durango’s mare Buffalo Girl. We assume that their 2010 foal has also died. It was getting to the point where I was starting to wonder about Durango. However, this week, as has often been his style, he has reappeared. To make it even better, Durango has the yearling filly Kerry with him. You’ll recall that she went missing earlier in the spring; her parents are Prince and Ireland.

Durango

July 25, 2011 – Official Press Release

Kapitan and Admiral, June 2011 (courtesy and copyright of Christine Reed)

I’d like to really thank Christine Reed for allowing me to use her photograph of Kapitan and Admiral. I love this photo as it shows how great looking these two were, how they were so often out being stallions together, and what their home looks like. An official press release was released by the National Park Service late this afternoon. Here is the text in its entirety:

Bighorn Canyon Press Release

Release Date:     Immediate

Contact:               Dale Kissner

Phone:                 (307) 548-5401

TWO HORSES KILLED BY VEHICLE ON THE PRYOR MOUNTAIN WILD HORSE RANGE

Two Pryor Mountain Mustangs were killed within the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range on Sunday morning July 24th, 2011 at about 2:00 AM. National Park Rangers and the Bighorn County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) were notified at about 10:00 am by a third party who found the horses dead near on U.S. Highway 37 near Crooked Creek Bay. The deceased horses were known as Admiral, and Kapitan/Climbs High.

The male driver of the vehicle, identified as 26 year old Adam Finn, of Germantown TN, was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. Finn was also issued citations for Driving a vehicle with a breath concentration of .08 or greater, Unsafe Operation-Failure to maintain control, Destruction of natural resources and for Moving a vehicle from an accident scene.

Finn will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Lander, WY to answer the charges.

Bighorn Canyon reminds drivers to be aware of horses, deer, bighorn sheep and other wildlife on and near the park roads, and to use caution when driving in the park.

 

July 24, 2011 – Admiral and Kapitan

I am sorry for not writing a post lately; I have been out of town. I just wanted to let you all know of some sad news today – Admiral and his son Kapitan were hit and killed by a driver this morning near Crooked Creek Bay. Law enforcement officers are gathering information on this, and I expect more details to be made known this week. I will keep you all posted as  I learn more.