The Tonto National Forest has temporarily closed the lower Salt River area to most horses and pack animals after an equine virus was detected. The closure could last through March.
For at least two weeks to at most three months, horses and pack animals are prohibited in the affected areas, with some exceptions. All other recreation remains open.
Officials want to prevent the further spread of the Equine Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, also known as VSV. Mesa officials say about 300 wild horses roam the lower Salt River.
Forest officials say human infection with VSV is rare and resembles the flu.
In horses, VSV can cause symptoms like excessive salivation and blister-like lesions in the mouth and other areas.
More Arizona animal news
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Federal land managers are reopening their environmental review of a massive transmission line proposed across Nevada, a move conservation groups say could reshape how energy infrastructure is approved on public lands across the West. -
A Chandler woman at the center of an animal cruelty case was sentenced this week to three and a half years in prison and seven years probation. -
As metro Phoenix continues to sprawl, there’s a push and pull between the people and the wildlife that call this place home. It means resources — including habitats — are limited. But there are efforts to ensure wildlife have what they need to survive. -
There’s been a sharp increase in canine parvo cases in Maricopa County and on tribal lands. According to the Arizona Humane Society, cases have quadrupled compared to this time last year. -
A new study that started at Northern Arizona University found the amount of salt in an environment significantly limits population growth for Earth’s largest herbivores.
