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| Wild Horses of the Outer Banks |
| Study the social lives of Shackleford Island’s horses to learn whether population controls are changing herd dynamics. |
     
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On The Expedition Breaking into smaller groups, your team will trek across Shackelford Island in search of wild horse harems. When you find a group of horses, you’ll stop and observe them, using a handheld GPS unit and data sheet to record their location, herd composition, behavior, and individual identity. You’ll observe around five to seven different harems each day, taking a short break to eat lunch, go for a quick swim or catch up on rest. You’ll work hard, walking in loose sand under the hot sun while combating insects, but your efforts will be rewarded with the unique chance to get to know these horses. Before dinner, you’ll have time to recover from your hard work by relaxing at the beach. During the expedition, the team will stay in Beaufort, back on the mainland, where you may have the opportunity to visit the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, stock up on any items you need, eat out, or visit attractions like Blackbeard's house or the North Carolina Aquarium. Meals and Accommodations Shackleford Island is uninhabited, so be prepared to rough it! You'll have your own tent, but there are no showers and you'll soon be an expert in leave-no-trace bathroom procedures. You'll help prepare simple meals, such as cereals, sandwiches, fruit, pasta, burritos, and snacks. While in Beaufort in the middle and at the end of the expedition, you'll stay at a local inn and will be able to enjoy the luxuries of showers and air conditioning. More Information 
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Research Summary Outer Banks, North Carolina — On an uninhabited barrier island just off the coast of North Carolina, wild horses roam the sand dunes and marshes. These small horses may have arrived with the early colonists about 400 years ago, and have survived shipwrecks, hurricanes, droughts, and nor'easters on the Shackleford Banks. Tough and resourceful, these "Shackleford ponies" know where to dig for water, and even the foals are often seen swimming the small channels between the island and nearby tidal flats. To keep the population from growing too large, some mares are given contraceptives. You can help Jessa Madosky, Dr. Jerry Howard and Dr. Daniel Rubenstein find out how this contraceptive, also used on zebras, deer, and elephants, affects the horses’ behavior. Meet the Scientists Jessa Madosky University of New Orleans “We are thrilled to have Earthwatch volunteers helping us with our research on feral horse behavior in the Outer Banks. The wild horses on Shackleford Banks are fascinating animals with complex social behaviors. Since the horses have no natural predators on the island, the National Park Service uses contraceptives to control the population. Our goal is to determine if the contraceptive is changing the social behavior of these charismatic horses. Join us as we track horses across the island and gain greater understanding of their intriguing social behaviors.” Ms. Madosky is currently working toward a Ph.D. at the University of New Orleans and holds a B.Sc. in Ecology, Evolutionary and Behavioral Biology from Beloit College in Wisconsin. She spent several months volunteering for Heifer International at an educational farm in Rutland, Massachusetts. She has also worked as a veterinary assistant and a lab biologist and was a teaching assistant as an undergraduate.  Dr. Dan Rubenstein Princeton University Dr. Jerome Howard University of New Orleans Dr. Howard conducts research with the University of New Orleans, working primarily on insect ecology and behavior. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and also attended the University of California, Davis, and the University of Arizona. Prior to his career in biology, Dr. Howard worked as a US Forest Service firefighter and wilderness ranger. He later helped design the UNO doctoral program in Conservation Biology and was the first program director from 1998 to 2001. His research interests have grown to encompass a variety of topics in conservation and behavior, and he has advised students on a diversity of topics including horse social structure. |
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About the Research Area Earthwatch teams will be based on Shackleford Island, on the Cape Lookout National Seashore in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Shackleford is an uninhabited island known for its feral horse population. Free from development (and modern amenities), the island offers excellent swimming, shelling, birding and fishing. Dolphins can be spotted off the island and sea turtle nests are a common sight. For two days out of each week, the team will stay in the nearby town of Beaufort on the North Carolina mainland. Local companies offer everything from ghost walks past Blackbeard’s house to dive trips and sport fishing. It is also possible to rent canoes and kayaks while staying in Beaufort, take a dolphin-watching cruise, or try parasailing. Beaufort has an assortment of small shops and restaurants and is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Beaufort Historical site. Other nearby attractions include the North Carolina Aquarium, Rachel Carson Reserve, Fort Macon State Park, and the Cape Lookout lighthouse. Morehead City and Atlantic Beach are a short drive away. |
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Locations shown are approximate.
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