Wild horses in Arizona. Photo from Salt River Wild Horses / Facebook

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Arizona says it wasn't consulted about the removal of wild horses from federal land adjacent to the reservation.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to remove an estimated 100 horses from the Tonto National Forest. Some of them cross into the reservation and the tribe says it doesn't have a problem with the animals.

"Since the 1970s the SRPMIC has had an active Wild Free-Roaming Horse Ordinance that recognizes their contribution to the diversity of the community while enriching the lives of people," the tribe said in a statement quoted by E.J. Montini of The Arizona Republic. "At any given time, there are approximately 60 wild free-roaming horses in the river area within the tribal boundaries of the community near the Salt and Verde Rivers."

A group called the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group is fighting the roundup.

Get the Story:
E.J. Montini: Tribal sanctuary available to Salt River wild horses (The Arizona Republic 8/5)
Forest Service will not immediately remove Salt River horses (12 News 8/4)
Salt River wild horses update: Group rallies to stop horse roundup (ABC 8/4)