The first wild horse foal born to the Corolla herd died suddenly in April, and now officials with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund say the cause of Charlie’s death has been determined.
Charlie was with his parents by the fire station in Carova around 4 p.m. on April 14 and officials said security camera footage showed that he seemed completely fine, walking right next to his mom. He laid down about 20 minutes later and by 4:30 he had died.
His body was taken to the state lab in Raleigh, and the final necropsy report determined that Charlie died from bacterial septicemia.
Officials said this happens when bacteria enters the body through the umbilicus.
There were no birth defects or congenital issues, and no sign that he had been fed or had eaten anything that caused an obstruction or illness.