Corolla, NC – On Monday, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund announced the death of a wild stallion known as Francisco. In a news release, the organization said a driver called to report the collision, saying, “At approximately 5am on Monday, August 11 a driver called 911 to report having struck a horse in the 2000 block of Sandpiper Road in the 4×4 area of Corolla.”
The 10-year-old stallion was healthy prior to the fatal incident. The agency writes:
He was an otherwise healthy, young stallion with a harem of four mares, a yearling colt, and a four-month-old colt (the colts’ parentage have not been verified by DNA so it is currently unknown if Francisco was sire to either of them).
Francisco suffered multiple injuries in the collision. The organization said:
After examining the body, our veterinarian determined that Francisco sustained the following fatal injuries: complete fracture of the radius and ulna, ruptured eye with periocular fractures, fractured ribs with subcutaneous emphysema, and likely ruptured diaphragm with pneumoabdomen.
Staff has observed the other horses in the herd and no issues have been reported.
The agency offered a word of warning to drivers in the area:
Please drive carefully and be aware of your surroundings at all times. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of obeying all traffic regulations on the 4-wheel-drive. These tragic incidents can be avoided through vigilance and personal responsibility.
Rest in peace Francisco.
(Images via Corolla Wild Horse Fund/Facebook)
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