Large herd of Kosciuszko horses after the fires.
Claims made by NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro on ABC South East radio yesterday that the summer bushfires had devastated the population of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park are not only misleading but defy the course of nature.
“Feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park and elsewhere breed at 15 to 20 per cent a year and most people aware of the natural course of nature would be aware of this,” Reclaim Kosci spokesperson Andrew Cox said today.
On ABC NSW south east local radio news yesterday John Barilaro called for a halt to horse removal until a new survey was done due to “a devastation on the [feral horse] population”.
“Driving along the Snowy Mountains Highway and counting a couple of dead horse carcasses as Mr Barilaro did is hardly a match for a professional and scientifically audited survey of the Alpine regions to determine horse numbers, which was done last year.
“The feral horse population would have increased by many thousands since numbers were surveyed in May 2019, so any claimed impact of the fires and drought would have been more than offset by natural increases since the survey was carried out.
“What’s more, over 65% of the park was unburnt, including the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park, which harbours most of the horses.
“What is clear if you take the time to walk a short distance off the highway at Kiandra is that many feral horses are being true to their reputation of ‘eating like horses’ and have been the first animals to move back in and are already destroying the re-growth.
“Where there are thin pickings feral horses can be seen grazing on aquatic plants on the Eucumbene River bed.
“NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro should do more than wind his window down in the now 80 km/h zone over 38 kilometres of the highway, a speed limit necessitated by the herds of horses wandering across a sometimes busy public road.
“He should heed the advice of the scientific community and support an end to grazing by hard-hoofed animals in Kosciuszko National Park.
“Mr Barilaro should end his postering for perceived short term electoral gain and back a long-term environmental preservation strategy for Kosciuszko National Park rather than imposing his sorry brumby preservation legislation on Kosciuszko and the people of NSW.”
The fact we are we still having to fight this battle and this man to save our national parks for the conservation of our own native animals and plants is a tragedy.
We drove along the Snowy Mountains highway through the Kiandra area when it was first opened after the fires.
We were shocked at the ferocity of the fires, which is saying something as we’d just left Eden…
We saw 3 groups of horses, frenziedly nipping off new green shoots. There was so much devastation and hardly any feed available.
Horses are large intelligent animals. They dominate other animals for food.
I love horses. I’ve had extensive experience breeding and handling them, including brumbies.
I’ve lived in the Bega Valley for over 40 years.
We have horrendous recurrent droughts and the Monaro and Snowy mountains have the same…only worse due to extreme cold.
Horses go in foal from 2 years old. They have an 11 month gestation and will often have 1 foal per year.
It’s inevitable numbers will get out of control as there are no predators for horses in the Snowy Mountains.
To allow numbers to escalate is unsustainable for horses, the environment and the fragile native animals.
As stated this week.
It is a Park not a paddock!
This fragile area is precious! Native animals need protection from more aggressive animals.
I’d like to see manageable numbers of brumbies remain in the park. Too many doing well in good times mean they starve in difficult times.
I’m not impressed with the attitude and behaviour shown by many vocal horse enthusiasts in groups on social media. Any attempts to discuss issues rationally result in blocking your comments. Not very democratic!
I have more I could add…you will have my details.