Officials at North Carolina’s Outer Banks are reminding visitors that it is foal season for the wild horses along the coast, particularly at Shackleford Banks, a popular location for viewing these animals. Cape Lookout National Seashore shared photos of recently born foals and emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance of at least 50 feet to allow the horses to bond, feed, and explore without disturbance. Similar warnings come from the nearby Rachel Carson Reserve, where incidents of visitors disturbing or attempting to capture young foals have occurred, including cases where foals were separated from their mothers or pulled toward boats.

The wild horses also inhabit other Outer Banks areas such as Corolla and Ocracoke Island. Authorities urge the public to respect the animals’ space and report any interference, especially involving foals, to law enforcement. Past incidents highlight the need for vigilance to protect these protected wild horses from harm caused by human interaction.