Group cited for removing foal from Shackleford Banks

The National Park Service said the newborn foal followed a group of people visiting the Wade Shore area for about two hours on March 26. When they tried to leave the island near Atlantic Beach, the foal followed them into the water.

Thinking it would drown, the group lifted the foal onto their boat, removing the horse from its natural habitat and its herd. It's now unlikely the foal can be returned to the wild, so it will be cared for by the Foundation for Shackleford Horses.

"Although these visitors thought that they were doing the right thing, this foal can’t be returned to Shackleford Banks and will now live a life as a domesticated animal, rather than as a wild stallion," a press release read.

The group was cited for removing the foal.

Park rangers reminded visitors to always stay 50 feet away from wildlife.