Learn about the wild horses on Shackleford Banks
As H2O Captain is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service's Cape Lookout National Seashore, which includes Shackleford Banks, and the NPS trusts H2O Captain to bring their own Wildlife Biologist and her two NPS Volunteers to a "secret" location on Shackleford to check up on these incredible animals. H2O Captain goes to multiple locations on this gorgeous barrier island, depending on what you are looking for.
· At the end of 2024, there were 119 wild horses on Shackleford Banks.
· The herd is 61% female and 39% male. Of the oldest horses (17 years of age and older), 23 are female, and 1 is male.
· The oldest living horse on the island is a 30-year-old mare.
· Herd mortality averaged 6% between 1991 and 2024.
Since 2005, the year-end population has ranged between 105 and 126.
CLICK HERE for Questions and Answers on the wild horses
To learn more about The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks CLICK HERE.
Photo by Dave Tolley of Captain Mark
