First Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary to be opened On Saturday, May 31 at 2:30 p.m., all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are invited to the formal dedication of the Andrew F. Fraser Pony Sanctuary. This sanctuary is the first in the province for the Newfoundland Pony.

"The work carried out by the volunteers of Newfoundland Pony Care Inc., is to be commended." said Beaton Tulk, Minster of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and minister responsible for The Heritage Animal Act. "The dedication of this sanctuary is an important stepping stone on the road to preserving the Newfoundland Pony as a part of our history and culture."

The population of Newfoundland Ponies has dropped to less than 200 animals thinly distributed throughout the island's outports, and presently, there are only seven stallions formally registered as Newfoundland Ponies by the Newfoundland Pony Society. The crisis for the Newfoundland Pony is simple survival. In the 1970s, the traditional practical use of the pony was taken over by snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles. Large numbers of `unemployed' ponies were, over time, shipped off the island as outport traditions changed. "It is only in recent years that there has been a general and more widespread awareness of the significance of the Newfoundland pony in Newfoundland history and culture as a whole." said the minister. "However, without the constant attention of volunteer organizations like NPCI, these numbers would decrease further."

The Pony Sanctuary is a 25 acre site which has been set aside for the summer grazing and breeding program for the Newfoundland Pony, which has been nominated as a Heritage Animal, under the recently passed Act respecting the Protection of Heritage Animals. It has taken three years of work on the part of Pony Care volunteers to restore this area of former Crown land to a site suitable to accommodate about a dozen ponies. Newfoundland Pony Care Inc. are the owners of the Sanctuary and the general public is encouraged to visit the Sanctuary throughout the summer.

Directions to the sanctuary site are, from St. John's: Follow the Trans Canada Highway West to the Whitbourne/Dildo crossroads, turn right, approximately 17 kilometres into Hopeall. Turn right on Trout Farm Road. Sanctuary site is immediately on left. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. The Newfoundland Pony Care Inc. volunteers have made it possible to have pictures taken with the Newfoundland ponies on site. The celebration will continue at the Whiteway Community Centre where refreshments will be served and additional information will be available regarding the Newfoundland Pony.

Contact: Anna Buffinga, Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 729-3750 or Newfoundland Pony Care Inc., (709) 582- 2415.