Why these wild brumbies are set to get gunned down from the sky in Kosciuszko National Park
NSW is considering controversial changes to environmental rules to allow aerial shooting of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park as its wild horse population balloons.
The government is seeking feedback on a proposed change to the park’s wild horse management plan that would green light shooting of brumbies from the air.
It ‘would be an additional option for the control of wild horses alongside the existing methods such as trapping and rehoming, and ground shooting,’ the government said in a statement said on Monday.
The highest concentration of brumbies – or roaming feral horses – is found in Australia’s alpine region, and their fate has long been the subject of heated debate
‘Kosciuszko National Park’s ecosystems are under threat.
‘There is widespread recognition of the urgent need to reduce numbers of wild horses to protect more than 30 native threatened species.’
The consultation comes amid surging numbers of wild horses in the state’s alpine region and long-running opposition from brumby activists to stricter control measures.
The government says it must cut the brumby population to 3000 in part of the park by mid 2027, and estimates up to about 23,000 wild horses are in the park.
Park authorities say they prioritise passive trapping and rehoming, while shooting from the ground is also permitted but aerial culls are banned.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said without action wild horses could tip threatened species into extinction.
‘There are simply too many wild horses for the park to cope,’ Ms Sharpe said.
‘We must consider the introduction of aerial shooting, carried out by skilled, highly trained shooters to the highest animal-welfare standards.’
NSW Greens environment spokesperson Sue Higginson backed the move, saying the government had a responsibility to manage invasive species in the park.
A pack of brumbies grazing in Kosciuszko, above
The Greens have claimed the former coalition government was held captive by the Nationals to opposing brumby culls, resulting in lax policy in the area.
‘It is not acceptable that feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park are pushing critically endangered species to extinction,’ Ms Higginson said.
Opposition environment spokesperson Kellie Sloane has been contacted for comment.
Jack Gough, from the Invasive Species Council – a lobby group for stronger environmental laws – said the announcement was an important decision.
‘(It) reflects that the public mood has shifted on this issue,’ Mr Gough said.
‘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.’
Nature Conservation Council of NSW said wild horses had a devastating impact on alpine ecosystems and Indigenous heritage.
‘Based on the best available evidence, ground and aerial shooting represent the most humane and effective population control methods,’ the group’s CEO Jacqui Mumford said.
Feedback on the proposed changes closes on September 11.
The debate on managing wild horses crosses state boundaries, with opponents of a wild horse cull in Victoria losing a legal bid earlier this year to have the practice outlawed.
Parks Victoria, which allows some aerial culling, has said feral horses can cause long-term damage to native alpine plants and animals.