The Tonto National Forest in Arizona has closed the Butcher Jones Recreation Area, including its beach and trails, due to ongoing aggressive behavior by wild horses. This closure, which began Friday, aims to protect public safety after numerous incidents involving horses biting, kicking, and charging at visitors. A recent incident involved a woman being hospitalized after a horse bit her arm, leading to a significant injury.
Forest Service officials cite increasing instances of horses approaching people seeking food and water, desensitizing them to human presence and escalating their aggressive tendencies. Feeding wild horses is illegal, but despite warnings, the practice continues, exacerbating the problem.
The closure will allow the Forest Service time to develop a comprehensive management plan to address the increasing human-wildlife conflict. This plan is expected to include strategies to educate the public about the dangers of feeding wild horses and implement measures to discourage human interaction with the animals.
The Butcher Jones Recreation Area will remain closed until further notice, impacting recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike. Forest Service officials urge visitors to respect the closure and explore alternative recreation areas within Tonto National Forest. The focus remains on finding a sustainable solution that protects both public safety and the wild horse population in the long term.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/arizona-recreation-area-closed-hiker-085833570.html