When you hear about how new technologies allow people to connect, share and unite for a common cause, the topic is usually politics.

But perhaps one of the more powerful examples of this phenomenon is about. . .a horse. But what a horse it is.

Cloud is a magnificent pale palomino stallion, part of a herd of wild horses living in the remote Pryor Mountains of Montana. Cloud's life has been chronicled since his birth in 1995 by filmmaker Ginger Kathrens.

Two documentaries, Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies and Cloud's Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns, have appeared on the PBS program Nature. The programs are produced by PBS station Thirteen/WNET and Ginger's Taurus Productions.

Ginger's immersive, deeply respectful relationship with the wild horses has been compared to the groundbreaking work primatologist Jane Goodall has done with chimpanzees in Africa. Ginger's work with the horses has opened the world's eyes to these remarkable animals and their fragile ecological and political status. The documentaries have spawned a movement to protect and preserve not only Cloud's herd, but the other wild horses that live in the remote landscapes of the American west.

Online, a crowd of viewers, animal lovers, resource management professionals and activists have gathered in Cloud's name.

Representing one of many personal, emotional responses is this comment from Linda L-C after viewing the second Cloud documentary: "I watched the PBS episode. . .and have NOT been able to get it out of my mind!....What does it matter WHO is watching the horses - when all told, it's a lovely story which I know, for some reason, I'll take with me to my dying days.

Passions also run hot.

The federal Bureau of Land Management is considering "relocating" [some believe destroying or killing] wild horses, fearing that if left in their current environments they will go extinct. This has outraged many viewers.
Wrote Patti Brown in a blog comment on Cloud:

"I watched that movie! I cannot believe BLM would want to even consider destroying Cloud and his herd. This group have horses with names and they mean something to us. I am totally opposed to the destruction of this group of horses. Now, we are always trying to preserve animals from extinction, but why are we allowing part of our heritage to be destroyed? Isn't there some sort of government land these beautiful creatures can roam on..freely? Are humans taking over that space and destroying the horses' space? This is truly sad! We, human beings, are selfish and ignorant; this is unbelievable!"

To be fair, the issues of wild animal management are complex. Still, people are organizing online to help protect and other wild horses. The message board are filled with references to websites where people can sign petitions, learn more or join advocacy groups. One, a non-profit group called The Cloud Foundation, has been established by Ginger Kathrens herself.

As for Cloud, the imperiled star himself? Kathrens maintains a blog with updates about both the horse and the newest production. Which is scheduled for broadcast on Nature in 2009.

http://www.pbs.org/engage/blog/cloud-online-activism-save-wil...