Havasupai Tribe Halts Commercial Hiking Trips Following Horse Abuse

KNAU.org

NPR Arizona Public Radio

The Havasupai Tribe this week closed all access by commercial hiking guides to the Havasupai Campground. The closure follows animal abuse charges recently brought against a member of the tribe whose horses packed gear for the companies’ clients. Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports.

The falls at Havasupai Campground

CREDIT GRANDCANYON.NET

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Hundreds of guiding reservations were canceled this week after the Havasupai Council halted the trips. Tribal officials say they’re devising a new plan to manage pack animals contracted by guiding companies to haul gear nearly 10 miles to Supai Village.

A member of the tribe was charged with felony animal abuse in April. Several of his horses were found malnourished and in need of medical attention.

At least half a dozen companies lead trips to the waterfalls at the Havasupai Campground on a regular basis, often guiding more than 20 clients at a time.

Access to Havasupai is still available for non-guided visitors with reservations. No other details are available at this time.  

Resurrecting a Decades Old Problem at Havasupai

We were first made aware of these problems in 2009, in a post here, although complaints have been documented long before that, possibly decades.

Should we apologize for the graphic image?

Horses and burros are left to die on the trail, or off the trail, left to the elements and predators, carcasses eaten by dogs and wolves.

Other abuses, such as sores, dehydration, underweight horses, working at extreme temperatures with no food or water, have been documented by many observers.

Source:
https://www.facebook.com/StopAnimalViolenceFoundation/

More fallen animals:

"4 pack animals still roped together, had apparently 
been spooked by coyote or so overnight, fallen off trail, pack loads still on. 2 dead.
we cut them lose. the small donkey managed to eventually get on its own feet.
removed load from mule, and tried foe almost two hours to get it onto its feet."

Source: https://www.facebook.com/havasuanimaladvocates/posts/265406387148513

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If you have witnessed these abuses, or posted them here on the blog in the past, PLEASE visit the Facebook page (Click HERE) and share your photos and experiences.

https://www.facebook.com/StopAnimalViolenceFoundation/

THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW.