Dartmoor potential pony cull prompts urgent call for livestock rule change

There are fewer than 1,000 Dartmoor hill ponies on the moor, down from about 7,000 at the turn of the century, according to the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association. Photograph: Adam Burton

Natural England and MPs are urging the government to change its livestock rules to stop ponies on Dartmoor from potentially being culled.

Semi-wild ponies have roamed Dartmoor for more than 4,000 years and have become uniquely suited to the boggy landscape, providing a charming sight for those who visit the national park.