New South Wales Halts Aerial Culling of Wild Horses
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Synopsis
On March 3, 2023, New South Wales announced a shift in its approach to managing wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park, ending aerial shooting of brumbies due to environmental concerns. The program aims to reduce the population to 3,000 by mid-2027 while exploring alternative management strategies.
Key Takeaways
- New South Wales has ceased aerial shooting of wild horses.
- The wild horse population will be managed through alternative methods.
- Current estimates show a significant reduction in horse numbers.
- Programs focus on humane capture and relocation.
- Controversy exists over the use of aerial shooting from animal rights advocates.
Sydney, March 3 (NationPress) Australia's New South Wales (NSW) has changed its strategy for managing the wild horse population at Kosciuszko National Park after the culling of thousands of brumbies through aerial shooting.
The use of aerial shooting is deemed unnecessary, as stated by NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe during a budget estimates hearing on Monday. The control of the wild horse population is crucial due to concerns that they pose a threat to various rare and native species.
Initiated in late 2021, the wild horse management program aims to reduce the brumbies count to 3,000 by mid-2027 to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem and the cultural significance of the brumby.
In late 2023, aerial shooting was introduced as a supplementary method to assist in diminishing the feral horse numbers. Reliable estimates indicated that over 17,000 horses remained. However, preliminary findings from the 2024 survey revealed a notable decrease in horse numbers, currently estimated between 3,000 and 4,000.
Aerial shooting has been temporarily halted in Kosciuszko National Park but could be reinstated if necessary. It continues to be employed in other regions of NSW, according to Sharpe.
Programs aimed at capturing and relocating the animals will persist as authorities investigate fertility management options to prevent severe fluctuations in the horse population, Sharpe added.
Alternative methods for managing the horse population in the park include ground shooting, humane capture, relocation to processing facilities, euthanasia, sedation, and adoption, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Xinhua.
Aerial shooting has been credited with the removal of 5,969 feral horses, as reported by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Emma Hurst, a member of the Animal Justice Party, has been a vocal opponent of the aerial shooting method, as noted in the ABC report.
