Officials in New South Wales are preparing to resume helicopter shooting of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park as opponents condemn the practice and supporters argue it is needed to protect native alpine ecosystems.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Australian officials are set to begin a large aerial cull of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park this week, drawing renewed opposition from campaigners who say the practice is inhumane.
The horses, commonly known in Australia as brumbies, have lived in the Snowy Mountains region for more than 200 years. They are among several feral animals, including donkeys, pigs and buffalo, that are targeted in aerial shooting programs by trained marksmen.
Opponents of the practice say aerial shooting can leave wounded animals suffering and can separate dependent foals from mares. PETA Australia has argued that injured horses may suffer for days or weeks before succumbing to their injuries.
The planned cull will take place in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, where officials say wild horse numbers have increased and are damaging native plants and fragile alpine habitats. The issue drew attention online through a social media post discussing the planned shooting program.
The cull is part of a government plan to reduce the wild horse population from an estimated range of 6,000 to 16,000 animals to 3,000 by the middle of next year, the Daily Mail reported.
Courts have approved the use of helicopter shooting to remove brumbies from the park.
Anti-cull campaigners have called the aerial shooting program “completely barbaric” and launched petitions seeking to stop it. Supporters of the petitions say around 220,000 signatures have been registered on social media. Another post also criticized the planned cull.
Government officials and conservation advocates say the population must be reduced to protect Kosciuszko’s indigenous plants and alpine environment.
Jack Gough, CEO of the Invasive Species Council, supported the return of aerial culling and told the ABC that horse numbers had increased sharply.
“We’ve seen a big spike in the numbers of feral horses,” Gough told the ABC.
Gough also said he was “disappointed” that retention areas remain in place. Those areas allow horses to stay in 32% of the park.
The dispute reflects a long-running conflict over how Australia should manage brumbies in national parks. Supporters of the cull argue that wild horses are an invasive species harming sensitive ecosystems. Opponents say the horses are part of the region’s history and should not be killed from helicopters.
The latest shooting program is expected to proceed as officials work toward the government’s population target for the park.