Six foals were born this year, according to a report by the Maryland Coast Dispatch, providing more opportunities for public involvement.
The article said the current population is 83, which may include the mare lost last week.
The population was 78 in March.
That means a herd of 77 could only produce 6 foals, a 7.8% birth rate, five years into the adaptive phase of the management program, also known as the PZP-free phase.
The advocates are half right: The darting program is effective but definitely but not safe.