By early 2016, Alberta's new NDP government will face a test of its commitment to wildlife management. A decision has to be made about whether to authorize the capture of more of Alberta's wild horses. There are now, by the government's admittedly limited count, around 700 left to roam free in the province, 200 fewer than this time last year. A tough winter and the occasional predator took most of them, while government-licensed trappers took 50. Some of those were sent to a no-kill auction in Innisfail. The government doesn't know what happened to the rest, as it doesn't track the horses' well-being after they're captured. The capture and cull has been happening regularly in Alberta, almost every year as the number of wild horses fluctuates.

Why has Alberta chosen to capture its wild horses, rather than protect them? W5 investigates the province's wilderness management.