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Mountain lion kills two foals at Horse Shelter ranch
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A mountain lion attacked and killed two foals last week at a Los Cerrillos sanctuary for abandoned, abused and neglected horses.
鈥淲e are completely devastated by this loss and in response have taken as many precautions and actions as possible,鈥� Susan Hemmerle, executive director of Santa Fe-based nonprofit The Horse Shelter, said in an email.
She said the shelter has moved its other mares with foals, and a pregnant mare, off its ranch in Cerrillos 鈥渁s they are at the greatest risk.鈥�
鈥淲e are working with both appropriate government authorities and a highly respected, private contractor so that we can prevent any further attacks,鈥� Hemmerle said. 鈥淲e have put the word out to all of the neighbors and neighborhoods that surround the shelter so that they can protect their livestock and pets as well.鈥�
Hemmerle said going forward, the shelter will explore 鈥渁ll possible deterrents鈥� to prevent attacks.
鈥淲e are fortunate, in our 25-year history, that this is the first time this has ever occurred, but we are doing everything in our power to ensure it never happens again,鈥� she said.
Horse Shelter Board President Jennifer Rios said in an email people in the 鈥淐errillos/Galisteo/Highway 14 area should be warned that there is a large male mountain lion (out there) who has already developed a 鈥榯aste鈥� for domesticated animals/livestock.鈥�
鈥淧lease keep us and our herd in your thoughts and take every precaution to protect your own animals,鈥� Hemmerle said.
