‘We can’t ignore this problem any more’: Aerial shooting of feral horses reconsidered
By Laura Chung
Aerial shooting of feral horses will be reconsidered by the NSW government as their numbers continue to swell in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the government was seeking feedback on the proposal that would help reduce the feral horse population and protect more than 30 native threatened species.
The NSW government will consider aerial shooting of feral horses as part of its new management plan.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“Recent reports show that, without action, wild horses could tip threatened species to extinction. There are simply too many wild horses for the park to cope,” Sharpe said on Monday.
“NSW is not on track to meet the wild horse population targets under the legislated Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Management Plan, which is why we must consider the introduction of aerial shooting.”
Feral horse populations in the park have increased by more than 30 per cent in two years despite the state government setting reduction targets, prompting experts to demand a bigger culling effort.
The current plan, which was signed off last year, is, in part, a reprise of the 2016 draft management document that also called for the reduction of horse numbers to fewer than 3000 horses in five to 10 years. The number of feral horses could increase to 50,000 in the next decade unless stronger measures are introduced.
Sharpe said aerial shooting, if approved, would be carried out by skilled, highly trained shooters to the highest animal-welfare standards. She added that current methods – such as trapping and ground shooting – would also be evaluated.
“We just can’t ignore this problem any more,” she said. “I love horses too. But the numbers are too high and we need to find the most humane and sustainable way to get those numbers down so that we can bring the park back into balance.”
The decision to reconsider aerial shooting has been welcomed by environmental groups, who have long called for the method to be used.
“In recent years, Australians have become better informed about the damage feral horses are doing to our wildlife and fragile alpine streams,” Jack Gough, advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council said.
Earlier this year, Sharpe visited Kosciuszko National Park and saw the impact feral horses were having on the environment.Credit: James Brickwood
“No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we have a choice to make between urgently reducing the numbers of feral horses or accepting the destruction of sensitive alpine ecosystems and habitats, and the decline and extinction of native animals.
“Without a change to remove the arbitrary prohibition on aerial shooting, the sad reality is that feral horse numbers will keep growing and our native wildlife will pay the price.”
Nature Conservation Council of NSW chief executive officer Jacqui Mumford said feral horses had an impact on many threatened alpine fauna species, including the corroboree frog, the broad-toothed rat and rare alpine orchids.
“Based on the best available evidence, ground and aerial shooting represent the most humane and effective population control methods,” she said.
The management of brumbies has become so controversial that NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff suffer constant harassment for doing their work. Over the past few years, this has escalated to online stalking and even a threat of firebombing.
Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst said those against the proposed changes were haunted by an incident in 2000 when shooters killed more than 600 animals in the Guy Fawkes National Park.
“Advocates [for the animals] will do all they can to ensure this cruelty doesn’t reoccur,” she said. “This is a shockingly cold-hearted course of action which should never be considered by this government.”
Stakeholders can provide written submissions until September 11, after which Sharpe will then consider any changes to the feral horse management plan.
Get to the heart of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news, the issues and the solutions. Sign up here.