Off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada lies a horse lover's dream - an island that’s home to about 500 feral horses that run free of gates, fences and, for the most part, people. Sable Island only ever has five permanent human residents, meaning that the horses outnumber them 100 to one. The horses are the descendants of horses that the British seized during the 18th-Century expulsion of the Acadian people (French colonists of the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). The horses on the crescent-shaped island, which lies some 190 miles (300 km) off the Canadian coast, live off freshwater ponds and marram (a type of grass). They are also known to dig into the island’s sand to get to the water beneath. During the relatively short time since they were set free on Sable Island in the 1760s, they actually evolved and developed distinct genetic traits. Sadly, they nearly didn’t make it through to the present day, because the Canadian government proposed culling them in 1959, with the pretext of “saving” them from the island’s harsh and unforgiving environment. Another argument that has been proposed for their expulsion from the island is the possibility of their interference with native species of seals and birds, however biologists have argued that due to their presence on the island for hundreds of years, they are now integrated into and important for its ecosystem. It was the intervention of Canadian children with good old-fashioned letter writing that saved these magnificent beasts from exile – they successfully petitioned the-then Canadian prime minister to pass a law to ensure that the horses received protected status. Thankfully, the horse population is stronger, happier and healthier than ever, and is likely to remain that way thanks to Sable Island receiving protection by Parks Canada. In fact, visitors have only recently been allowed on the island, at a cost over $2,000 for a nine-day expedition. If you’re a horse lover and want to come and see these horses for yourself, then you should know that the journey to Sable Island is both long and costly. Canadian authorities also try to keep the number of visitors down, and this is due to the fragile state of its ecosystem. Take a look at the Sable Island horses in their unique habitat right here:
Content and Image Source (unless otherwise stated): The Plaid Zebra |
Experience the Richness of Canada’s Breathtaking Nature
Go on a breathtaking journey through wild forests, crystal lakes and up the hills of massive mountains in British Colombia and Alberta, Canada.
10 Gorgeous Villages and Towns in The Netherlands
The Netherlands is considered one of the most beloved countries in Western Europe, but to get to know it well, visit these 10 villages and towns.
These Photos Have Amazed the World...
From the epic majesty of our galaxy to the pure, simple beauty of a tortoise interacting with a butterfly, these photos are wonderful.
The Incredible Beauty of Horses in Stunning Photography
Many beautiful horse breeds have been developed over the course of the centuries, but some are more beautiful than others... Take a look.
The 12 Least Densely Populated Places on The Planet
Behold a countdown of the top 12 least populated places on Earth. These places are ruled by nature and full of beautiful vast landscapes
Horse Kingdom: Exploring the 15 Most Stunning Horse Breeds
Many beautiful horse breeds have been developed over the course of the centuries, but some are more beautiful than others... Take a look.
The Most Adorable Otter Ever Will Teach You About Otters
This little orphaned river baby otter is so cute, you'll never want to stop watching it. But if you do, you'll learn all about otters while accompanying on his little day. Are you ready to learn about otters?
The Beautiful Wildlife of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place that has a large number of wild animals.
Watch this Colorful Caterpillar Turn into a Stunning Moth!
Watch as this gorgeous caterpillar goes through the various stages of growth, to eventually emerge as a beautiful puss moth.
These Flowers are Some of the Most Expensive in the World
Flowers are never cheap, but as you're about to see, some are a lot more expensive than others.
There Are Exquisite, Colorful Trees Growing in Japan...
Japan is more than Japanese culture, it is also a land of unspeakable natural beauty as you can see in these beautiful photos of japan's nature.
Nature: How Animals Evolved Head Weapons
The history of animal head weapons is diverse and fascinating.
Humans and Wild Animals CAN Be Friends...
This beautiful video makes my faith in humanity just a little stronger, as these humans have managed to befriend some of the wildest animals out there by being gentle.
Australia Is Home to Some of the World’s Cutest Animals
Australia is home to most living marsupials, a family of mammals unlike any other on earth.
5 Ancient Forests and What You Can Find There
This list contains 5 of the world’s most ancient forests that stood here far longer than us, their must-see spots and how to get there
In Pictures: Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 Winners
Check out the stunning winners of the 2023 Bird Photographer of the Year contest.
8 Animals That Hibernate During Winter
We have all heard how bears hibernate during the winters. Here are 8 more animals that protect themselves from the cold by hibernating.
World's Finest Wildlife Images Crowned for 2023: 16 Pics
Check out the outstanding winners of One Eyeland’s 2023 Wildlife Photography Awards.
Is Your Dog a Genius? Find Out Now with These 12 Signs!
Ever thought that your dog's a genius? Now You can check with these 12 signs of developed intelligence!
20 Beautiful and Exotic Dog Breeds I'd Love to Get to Know!
Here you can enjoy our collection of 20 beautiful photos of exotic and very rare dogs you won't find at your local park.
16 Fascinating Plants You Have to See to Believe!
How many of these interesting plants have you seen before?
7 Surprising Animals That Have The Ability To ‘Fly’
Here's a look at some unique and surprising members of the animal kingdom that have developed the ability to fly through the air.
The Galapagos Islands Are Truly a Marvel of Nature
The Galapagos islands truly are a marvel of nature. Parts of the islands are open to visitors, so if you have the chance to go, grab it with both hands!
New From Nature: 11 New Animal Species Discovered in 2022
Today, we will acquaint you with 2022's 11 newly discovered species of animals and delve into the reasoning behind their distinctive names.
Beautiful! This Nimble Bird is a Magical Sight to Watch
Both strong and beautiful the hummingbird is a magical sight to watch. Look through this beautiful tribute to the nimble bird.
16 Perfect Examples of How Beautiful Earth Is
16 beautiful examples of why Earth is such a wonderful and gorgeous place to live.
These Are Some of the Luckiest Felines in the World Today
There are millions of animals around the world that are in need of a loving home, but these 17 cats represent heart-warming success stories. Meet them here.
16 EERIE Close-Ups of Bugs Under a Microscope
Take a look at these terrifying close-ups of insect faces.
Have You Ever Seen a More Beautiful Garden Than This?
Kayoichou Park is situated in Kasuya Town on the edge of Fukuoka City on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Take a look at the stunning rose garden there.
Dr. Hodges - The Vet That Cures Exotic Cute Pets
In this video, we meet Monty, the pet axolotl. It's his first visit to the Vet!
Marvel at the Stunning Winners of Ocean Art Awards!
Marvel at the spectacular winning images from the 2023 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest.
Remarkable Winners of the Insect Week Photography 2023
Check out the amazing winning shots from the Insect Week Photography Competition.
Collection: The World's Mightiest Mountains
Look through our biggest ever collection of incredible landscape photos of mountains from every corner of the Earth. Enjoy!
Llamas Can Be Both Mean and Hilarious!
Llamas are some of the most hilarious animals on our planet. Watch this compilation video to find out why!
You Won’t Believe These Natural Peculiarities Really Exist
Let’s expand our knowledge of nature with these unbelievable photos showcasing some of the strangest, coolest and creepiest things in nature
Witness the Stunning Majesty of the Birds of India
If you're a bird lover, then few places on this planet are more ideal for you than India. Find out why here.
16 Award-Winning Shots That’ll Take Your Breath Away
The 2020 winners of the nature photography competition BigPicture have been announced, and they are astounding!
This Post Will Clear Up Any Misconceptions About Dogs
There are numerous misconceptions concerning the best ways that we should interact with dogs. This post will definitely clear everything up.
These Animal Facts Are Both Adorable and Interesting
Twenty fascinating animal facts that we bet you never knew about!
16 Photos That Showcase Our Planet’s Breathtaking Beauty
Check out these unbelievably picturesque photos from around the world.
These Stunning Waterfalls Will Take Your Breath Away!
Waterfalls are a thing of beauty which never fail to impress! Check out 17 of the world's greatest waterfalls here!
You Have to See These 18 Hybrid Animals to Believe Them
I'd never even heard of a liger, a zonkey or a beefalo. But these pictures go to show that they actually exist - in real life!
Best of Animal Photography: 17 Stunning Images
Check out the most amazing shots of animals caught on camera from “The Decisive Moments Magazine”.
This Woman Takes Incredible Wildlife Pics With Hidden Cams
A woman has set up a secret camera in her backyard bird feeder and ends up capturing the most interesting wildlife photos.
Nature's Marvel: The Fascinating Biology of Seahorses
The seahorse is one of the most unique creatures of our planet. Let’s find out some interesting facts about its insane biology.
These Beautiful Animal Stories Will Touch Your Heart
Animals are an infinite source of inspiration for all of us, and these touching stories will give you renewed hope in life and maybe even make you shed a tear.
The Top 10 Animal World Record Holders Are Totally Awesome
From a bird doing slam dunks to a dog freely skateboarding through a human tunnel, here are the top ten animal Guinness World Record holders!