Why these wild brumbies will be shot from the sky in Kosciuszko National Park

NSW is considering controversial environmental rule changes to allow the aerial shooting of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park as balloons for the feral horse population.

The government is seeking feedback on a proposed amendment to the park’s wild horse management plan, giving the go-ahead for aerial shooting of brumbies.

It “would be an additional option for wild horse control to existing methods such as capture and relocation and ground shooting,” the government said in a statement on Monday.

‘The ecosystems of Kosciuszko National Park are under threat.

“There is widespread recognition of the urgent need to reduce wild horse numbers to protect more than 30 endemic endangered species.”

The consultation comes amid growing feral horse numbers in the state’s alpine region and long-running opposition from Brumby activists to stricter control measures.

The government says it needs to reduce the brumby population in part of the park to 3,000 by mid-2027, and estimates there are about 23,000 feral horses in the park.

Park authorities say they are prioritizing passive capture and relocation, while shooting from the ground is also allowed, but aerial culls are prohibited.

Environment Secretary Penny Sharpe said feral horses could push endangered species to extinction without action.

“There are just too many wild horses for the park to handle,” said Ms Sharpe.

“We should consider introducing aerial shooting, conducted by skilled, highly trained shooters to the highest animal welfare standards.”

NSW Greens environmental spokesperson Sue Higginson supported the move, saying the government had a responsibility to manage invasive species in the park.

Up in Kosciuszko, a group of brumbies grazes

The Greens have claimed that the former coalition government was held captive by the Nationals to oppose brumby culls, resulting in lax policies in the area.

“It is unacceptable that wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park are driving critically endangered species to extinction,” said Ms Higginson.

Opposition spokesman Kellie Sloane has been contacted for comment.

Jack Gough, of the Invasive Species Council – a lobbying group for stricter environmental laws – said the announcement was an important decision.

“(It) reflects that the public mood on this issue has shifted,” Mr Gough said.

“No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we must make a choice between urgently reducing wild horse numbers or accepting the destruction of sensitive alpine ecosystems and habitats.”

NSW’s Nature Conservation Council said feral 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 methods of population control,” said the group’s CEO, Jacqui Mumford.

Feedback on the proposed changes closes on September 11.

The debate over feral horse management crosses state lines, with opponents of wild horse culling in Victoria losing a legal bid to ban the practice earlier this year.

Parks Victoria, which allows some air clearance, has said feral horses can cause long-term damage to native alpine plants and animals.