Wild horse found dead at Red Rock

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999 | 10:59 a.m.

A wild horse has died in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, its body found in a region where federal officials hope to move 17 other wild horses under a proposed management plan.

A resident spotted the horse's body Friday lying next to a watering trough in the Cottonwood Valley area called Wilson Spring. The spot also is known as Tunnel Springs, Bureau of Land Management spokesman Phil Guerrero said.

The animal had been dead three or four days, and BLM officials have not been able to determine whether it died of dehydration, illness or gunshot because of its deterioration. A metal detector showed no bullets or metal in the body, Guerrero said.

The watering hole is one that has been drying up more than usual and one a Utah wild horse advocacy group is planning to help restore to its originial flow and condition.

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