Australia to restart ‘essential’ aerial shooting of wild horses to protect native wildlife

Aerial shooting from helicopters was used for a brief period in 2000, when more than 600 ‘brumbies’ were shot over three days

But a fierce public backlash resulted in the method being banned

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Australia approved the aerial shooting of wild horses to protect native wildlife, in a national park. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:12pm, 27 Oct 2023Updated: 1:51pm, 27 Oct 2023

Australia approved on Friday the aerial shooting of wild horses in one of the country’s largest national parks, resuming a contentious practice that authorities described as “essential” to protect native wildlife.

An estimated 19,000 wild horses – known locally as “brumbies” – live in Kosciuszko National Park. New South Wales state authorities want to cut that population to 3,000 by mid-2027.

The national park already traps, rehomes and shoots horses from the ground, but the state’s environment minister Penny Sharpe said this was not enough.

This was not an easy decision – no one wants to have to kill wild horses

Penny Sharpe, New South Wales environment minister

“Threatened native species are in danger of extinction and the entire ecosystem is under threat,” she said. “We must take action.

“This was not an easy decision – no one wants to have to kill wild horses,” she added.

Aerial shooting from helicopters was used for a brief period in 2000, when more than 600 wild horses were shot over three days.

But a fierce public backlash resulted in the method being banned.

Those against culling say the horses are part of Australia’s national identity, a nostalgic reminder of the days when tough stockmen and women worked in the country’s rugged Snowy Mountains.