Corolla Wild Horse Fund announces death of 'beloved stallion'

COROLLA, Currituck County — The Corolla Wild Horse Fund in the Outer Banks announced the death of the "beloved stallion Roamer" on Monday.

In an emotional Facebook post, the group recalled the last month of Roamer's life.

On Dec. 12, Roamer began to show signs of colic and the group said they immediately called their veterinarian. Colic is common among wild horses.

It was less than 24 hours after Roamer first showed signs of illness that the group made the "difficult decision" to let him go.

The veterinarian and staff did "everything in their power to save Roamer" but the odds proved too great against him.

The 15-year-old stallion was diagnosed with a tear in his gastrointestinal tract on Jan. 11. That injury eventually led to sepsis.

Although the nonprofit recently cautioned people about the potential of a “swamp cancer” outbreak, Roamer’s death appears unrelated to the pythiosis that killed seven horses on a Virginia island.

The group finished their statement with the following:

This has been absolutely devastating for all of us, and it's a great loss for the Corolla herd as well. However, Roamer leaves behind his offspring on the beach and his legacy as an ambassador for his breed. We take comfort in knowing he will live on in those ways, but we are still grieving, and will be for a long time.

The wild mustang was featured prominently in Outer Banks, North Carolina, tourism materials.

Corolla’s herd manager, Meg Puckett, called Roamer “sort of a legend” and an “ambassador for the horses.” He was among the oldest of the nearly 100-strong herd, and got his name for his tendency to wander among tourists.