Porcine zona pellucida fertility control for wild horses offers a more humane population management alternative to roundups.
Wild horse roundups using helicopters cause acute stress, injuries, and permanent family group disruption. Fertility control using PZP vaccine delivered remotely avoids these welfare harms while achieving population stabilization over time. Treated mares remain with their bands, preserving social bonds. The primary limitation is the logistical challenge of treating large herds across remote terrain.