Update on Chincoteague’s ponies facing “swamp cancer”

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. – Some of the ponies on Chincoteague Island are suffering from a “swamp cancer” capable of taking their lives.

It’s a fungus that grows on the plants and marshes in stagnant water and thrives in warmer climates.

Denise Bowden, the Public Information Officer of the Chincoteague’s Volunteer Fire Company says, “Most of it’s happening up on the north end of Virginia side and what we’re seeing somewhere in the area, not pin point it because some of these ponies aren’t from the same band.”

All seven ponies affected have received surgeries but one didn’t make it out. We’re told there is no preventive vaccine for it and they are working with different vets to find a cure.

But this isn’t the first time they’ve seen this. They lost another pony to this fungus in 2017, but this year seems to be more prominent. That’s why taking action is so more important, so more ponies can continue to live.

“They are going to be bringing up some of their biologists from Florida and doing some of the water, plant, and soil samples,” Bowden says. But the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company isn’t the only group that cares. The community has raised over $15,000 to cover these surgeries and help the ponies that they love.

There is some good news two new foals have been born in the past two days.

The six ponies who just finished their surgeries will continue to get monitored and vaccinated so if you’d like to donate, click here.