The fate of Dartmoor ponies is safe after fierce backlash from campaigners.
The endangered animals will be protected at current levels after fears newly-drawn Natural England contracts reducing grazing on the Devon moor could result in the removal of 90 per cent of the species.
They have been a mainstay of the picturesque landscape for 4,500 years, but the number of ponies roaming the moors has plummeted from 6,000 25 years ago to fewer than 1,000.
Concerns grew after Natural England – the Government quango responsible for protecting the country’s land, flora and fauna – demanded livestock grazing on Dartmoor was cut by 75 per cent in
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