Hello friends. Wild horses are considered an invasive species in Australia with a total population of 400,000 across the country. They are descended from horses brought to Australia by European settlers. They threaten local ecosystems by grazing and trampling native soil and plants, especially in the Australian Alps, according to the Invasive Species Council, an organization dedicated to protecting nature from animals, harmful weeds and diseases. How are Australian farmers dealing with 14,000 invasive wild horses? Here is the video.
Local authorities are facing a major challenge in Kosciuszko National Park, with an estimated 17,432 wild horses spread across a 260 square mile area in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). To deal with the problem of managing horse populations and complying with the law, authorities are mounting a tireless extermination campaign, using helicopters to shoot uncontrolled horses. According to information released by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the latest survey results estimate the horse population in the national park in 2022 to be between 14,501 and 23,535, a significant increase compared to 2016 when there were only about 6,000 horses. The 2023 survey continues to show an increase, with 12,934 - 22,536 horses. This sudden increase puts great pressure on the government, requiring strong intervention to achieve the goal of reducing the number of horses to 3,000 by June 2027, as set out in the management plan.
Methods such as relocation, tranquilization and hunting have been used to try to control numbers but have had little success in reducing the population significantly. According to The Guardian, the decision to add the above removal was made after a voting process with 82% of 11,002 submissions from stakeholders supporting the measures. Some people object to hunting wild horses from above. They believe this measure is inhumane and unnecessary. But this is the most feasible measure to reduce the number of wild horses. This measure helps reduce the number of horses quickly and effectively, while minimizing pain for the horses. A statement in Newsweek from the NSW government said: “The survey results show the NSW government will not be able to meet the mid-2027 deadline of 3,000 horses on its current trajectory without aerial hunting.”
The main reason for the culling of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park is to protect important native species in the Australian Alps. Among these are species such as the galaxias fish and the southern corroboree frog which are facing extinction and the entire ecosystem of the region is at risk. State Environment Secretary Penny Sharpe has stressed the importance of taking action, saying: “Threatened native species are at risk of extinction and entire ecosystems are at risk of extinction.” The decision to hunt horses by helicopter is a drastic measure to prevent habitat destruction and protect this precious species from extinction. For example, a similar situation occurred in New Zealand when the fight against the skunk, a small predator, led to the reintroduction of the kiwi, a rare bird, in an area outside Wellington after more than 100 years. Those successes are testament to the effectiveness of environmental and animal conservation measures.
“I love horses but they don't belong in national parks. Wild horses are causing serious damage to our native plants and animals, including many endangered species in the Australian Alps,” said Tanya Plibersek, federal minister for environment and water. with The Guardian. In that context, the local government decided to carry out a wild horse hunting campaign to ensure the safety of the environment and local flora and fauna. In contrast to this decision, the Australian Brumby Alliance opposed culling. “We implore Minister Sharpe to increase his commitment and resources to passive trapping and rewilding as a preferred population management method,” said coalition president Jill Pickering. Reserve measures that are not safe for human use in areas of high population density and vulnerable areas designated in the NSW Wild Horses Act.”
Guard. While the government aims to reduce feral horse numbers to protect the environment, the Australian Brumby Alliance recommends the adoption and use of other population management methods such as passive trapping, to keep feral horses alive and prevent them from causing damage in highly populated areas and vulnerable areas. This is a debate on how to approach this sensitive issue, posing a major challenge to environmental management and maintaining the balance between plant and animal protection and ensuring social security.
The method of hunting horses from helicopters being implemented by the New South Wales (NSW) government was tested in 2000, when about 600 horses were hunted in just 3 days. However, strong reaction from public opinion caused this method to be almost banned. Jack Gough emphasized: “No one wants to see animals being hunted, but the sad reality is that we must choose between urgently reducing the number of wild horses or accepting the destruction of regional ecosystems and habitats. sensitive mountains as well as the decline and extinction of native animal species. , advocacy director at the Invasive Species Council, in conversation with the Sydney Morning Herald. Gough went on to express the view that although culling animals may be a difficult decision, it is the only viable way to reduce wild horse numbers and protect national parks and wildlife. Native animals live there. Helicopter hunting equipment is carried out by well-trained experts, reducing pain for animals and ensuring safety and efficiency during the hunting process. How Australian farmers are controlling Kangaroo populations, watch this video.
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