Endangered Eriskay ponies find protectors among Outer Hebrides islanders

On the slopes of Beinn Sciathan in the Outer Hebrides, small herds of white and grey ponies roam freely as one of the world's rarest native pony breeds fights for survival, according to a Guardian photo essay.

Eriskay ponies are considered critically endangered, with only an estimated 300 to 400 animals remaining. The breed's population figures have sometimes appeared higher than they actually are because Eriskay ponies have often been crossed with Highland ponies and other breeds, creating a misleading impression of a larger population, the report said.

What sets the situation apart, according to the piece, is the response of the small community living on the island. Residents allow the ponies to wander freely through the village and share responsibility for their care collectively.

The photo essay documents the relationship between the islanders and the ponies as part of a broader effort to preserve the breed's future on Eriskay.