Investigation launched into the deaths of horses and mules owned by National Park Service

A malfunction in the watering system that served a small herd of pack mules and stock horses in the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge left two horses and seven mules dead due to dehydration and related kidney problems. The horses were owned by the National Park Service (NPS) and were used in California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Two other animals in the herd received veterinary care resulting from dehydration.

The equines were held in a 300-acre pasture where the NPS was responsible for checking on their condition. The deceased animals were discovered on June 4. The NPS released a statement on June 8 saying that the incident was under investigation.

California Congressman Devin Nunes, who authored a bill to restore commercial stock operator access to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks earlier this year, has launched a congressional investigation into the deaths according to ABC30 in Fresno, Calif.

The NPS investigation is now in the hands of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.