DR JOE RESPONDS TO PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF KOSCIUSZKO WILD HORSE MANAGEMENT PLAN
The custodianship of our environment, especially the Kosciuszko National Park, is a collective responsibility and duty for all Australians. It is a duty we must not fail in.
The plan of the current version of the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Management Plan is to achieve a sustainable feral horse population of 3000.
Sadly, that is far from being achieved.
National Parks & Wildlife Service head Atticus Fleming recently said to the ABC "The scientific report (Nov 2022) indicates the best estimate is 18,814 horses and states there is a 95 percent confidence that the population is between 14,501 and 23,535 horses."
Clearly the ideal solution is for these horses to be removed and rehomed but it is simply not feasible to do this for tens of thousands of these animals. Rehoming wild horses is a costly and time intensive exercise and I am reliably informed that existing rehomers are at capacity.
I welcome the decision by the minister to open consultation on amending the plan to allow aerial culling.
I respect that this issue does attract strong beliefs and that is why I support the Minister’s call to involve the community in amending the Wild Horse Management plan.
It is important that these methods are implemented humanely and in line with RSPCA standards.
I understand that another count will be done shortly before aerial culling begins, the sustainable population of 3000 remains as the goal, and horse riding will continue in the park.
Submissions can be made via online survey, online submission form, email or post up until the 11th of September 2023.
The draft plan is available on the environment and heritage website at
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildhorses
If community members would like to talk to someone about wild horse control you can do so via npws.wildhorses@environment.nsw.gov.au.
If community members would like to learn more about current methods used to manage the wild horse population in the Kosciuszko National Park please see the below link.
Or if you would like to rehome a wild horse you can either view the process on the EES website or contact NPWS on
npws.wildhorses@environment.nsw.gov.au