Last surviving feral pony at Skyhill to be monitored

Welfare check carried out after social media appeal 

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it will be 'monitoring closely' the last surviving feral pony at Skyhill.

A herd of them is thought to have lived in the area of Glen Auldyn for decades, after being released into the wild.

In recent weeks a Government Veterinary Officer has visited the site alongside the Manx Wildlife Trust to inspect the animal - being referred to as 'Sky'.

Back in August Manx resident Jessica Taylor Welch was walking through Glen Auldyn when she spotted, alone on the hillside, an all-white pony.

"I have heard the stories but never actually believed it" she said in a post on Facebook, which she shared alongside a photograph of the mare - surrounded by purple heather, with North Barrule and its white three legs in the background.

She described that moment to Manx Radio's Lewis Foster:

People are urged not to try and approach the pony if they see her, as she's said to be 'very timid'.

The area where she lives has, in recent years, been acquired by the Manx Wildlife Trust.

For CEO, Graham Makepeace-Warne, the case of the lonely Skyhill pony is a poignant reminder of the perils of releasing animals out into the wild:

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture told Manx Radio it's aware of the situation, and has confirmed that a Government Veterinary Officer has visited the site alongside the Manx Wildlife Trust.

It adds: 'We will continue to monitor the situation closely.'

For Jessica, this is the best outcome: