The NSW Government has adopted an amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan which authorises aerial shooting as an approved method of reducing the number of wild horses in the park.

The government said the change is essential to protecting the park’s threatened native wildlife and ecosystems. Following careful consideration of submissions, Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe has determined the amendment is necessary to help save endangered and vulnerable species and their habitat, protect soil and waterways and conserve cultural heritage.

“There are simply too many wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park,” said minister Sharpe.

“This was not an easy decision. No one wants to have to kill wild horses. I have carefully considered all the options, and I thank everyone who took the time to make a submission.”

The amendment allows the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to use aerial shooting in addition to existing control methods – such as ground shooting, and trapping and rehoming – to reach the legally-required wild horse population target of 3,000 by mid-2027.

The proposal to amend the Plan was recently put on exhibition for community input and attracted 11,002 submissions. Advice from the Wild Horse Community Advisory Panel and National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council was also considered.

Of the submissions which commented on aerial shooting, 82 per cent expressed support for the control method being included in the Plan.

The minister said she was aware this decision will upset some members of the community.

“I empathise with those who feel distressed that we must undertake control programs. My commitment is that I will always be open and honest with the community about these matters, without risking safety to visitors and staff.”

“Aerial shooting, when carried out by highly trained personnel in accordance with rigorous standards, delivers the best possible animal welfare outcomes.”

The Minister noted the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee Report which found effective control of wild horses could be the difference between survival and extinction for up to a dozen threatened species found only in the Australian Alps.

As part of the decision, the NSW Government is releasing a summary of submissions. The Review of Environmental Factors and a carcass management plan will be finalised and released. The 2023 population survey undertaken in October will be peer-reviewed and made publicly available as soon as possible.

“Over 2200 horses were removed from the park between February 2022 and August 2023. A range of control measures were used including trapping and rehoming, sending horses to the knackery and ground shooting,” said NPWS recently.

The rotting carcasses have already raised concerns from hikers and visitors in sections of the northern area of Kosciuszko. At the end of the snow season brumby advocate groups visited the park and found over 300 dead horses rotting on the ground. They commented on the stench and advised other hikers at the time not to proceed to certain areas. Not the ideal carcass management plan.

The government said carcasses will not be left in or close to major waterways or within 400 metres of busy visitor areas such as campgrounds. Carcasses will be moved if necessary to meet the requirements of the carcass management plan.

The number of brumbies roaming Kosciuszko has always been a contentious number. Current numbers range from 14,501 to 23,535, which is a huge range. Brumby advocate groups have always contested the numbers and the methodology for determining the count.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will undertake a short, preliminary program that will refine the standard operating procedure for aerial shooting in Kosciuszko National Park. The preliminary program has been developed with input from an independent wildlife veterinarian and RSPCA NSW, which will observe and evaluate.

Relevant areas of Kosciuszko National Park will be closed when aerial shooting occurs. They already undertake aerial shooting for pigs and deer.

“I want to make sure our National Parks staff have all the options they need to reach the population target and protect this precious alpine environment,” said minister Sharpe.

The Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan requires 3,000 wild horses to be retained in 32 per cent of the park to protect their heritage value. The proposed amendment to the Plan does not change this requirement.