Our mission

Kosciuszko National Park is for all Australians. It must be protected from feral horses and the damage repaired. Reclaim Kosci aims to do just that.

 

It’s the unfolding disaster that we can still stop.

In the 1960s, cattle grazing was banned from Kosciuszko National Park after being practised for more than a century because of the terrible damage hooved animals had inflicted upon plants, soil, clear mountain streams, and native animal habitats.

Over time, and millions invested in restoration processes, the landscape recovered. But now, we’ve got a problem just as serious.

Kosciuszko National Park is now being trampled by thousands of feral horses.

For the sake of this iconic Australian landscape, the horses must be managed and their numbers reduced.

It is Reclaim Kosci’s mission to protect the exceptional natural heritage values of Kosciuszko National Park from the damaging impacts of feral horses.

Reclaim Kosci seeks to do this by raising awareness of the feral horse problem, and ultimately, to bring about a plan to reduce their numbers through humane and effective means.

We want to stop feral horses expanding their heavy hoof print throughout the national park – impacting visitors, motorists, neighbouring landholders, and of course the priceless ecosystems of Kosciuszko.

We wouldn’t stand by and watch a feral species destroy the Great Barrier Reef and we’re not going to stand by and let horses ruin Kosciuszko – all because of one lousy law and a small but noisy band of feral horse advocates, many of whom have never even visited the high country.

Reclaim Kosci represents anyone who loves and cares for Kosciuszko National Park. With your help, we will reduce horse numbers and help restore Kosciuszko National Park to its once pristine state.

After three years of heavy campaigning, late November 2021 the NSW Government introduced a new Kosciuszko horse management plan with the ambition to reduce the horse population significantly.

Our campaign will continue as we focus on:

  • Holding the NSW Government to account on its commitments to reduce feral horse numbers in the park.
  • Closely monitoring the rollout of management plan to ensure the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service follows through with the plan’s new tools to manage feral horses.
  • Continuing to educate Australians and politicians on the effect of feral horses on Australia’s natural environment.
  • Pushing for a new feral horse management plan, following the repeal in 2025 of the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, which prioritised the protection of feral horses over our native species.

We will not give up until Kosciuszko is protected. Please join us. For Kosciuszko’s sake.

Why Reclaim Kosci?

In June 2018 the NSW Government turned Australia into a global laughing stock when it passed legislation protecting destructive feral horses, locking in ongoing degradation of sensitive alpine habitats and threatening native plants and animals. Overturning the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act – which should be called the Kosciuszko Destruction Act – is essential for protecting our fragile alpine region.

DONATE

Please support our campaign by making a tax-deductible donation today. 

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Kosci horse plan adopted: time for action

Today NSW environment minister Matt Kean adopted a feral horse plan for Kosciuszko National Park that promises a significant reduction in feral...

Kosciuszko horse plan promises big reduction but locks in damage

The NSW Government's draft Kosciuszko feral horse plan released today has promised a significant reduction in feral horses in the park, but also...

The moss gatherers

Written by H. D. WilliamsonOriginally published by: Australian Geographical Society, Australian National Publicity Association & Australian...

Silencing the community voice on horses

When the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act was passed by the NSW Parliament in 2018, it was touted by the NSW government as a way of being more...

FOI documents reveal bushfire advice for Kosciuszko horses ignored

  Documents obtained through NSW freedom of information laws confirm the NSW government ignored advice on feral horse removal in Kosciuszko...

Three years of a failed feral horse law

The three-year anniversary of the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act has left John Barilaro’s promise to solve Kosciuszko’s feral horse problem...

Feral horse report confirms urgent action needed in Kosciuszko National Park

A 20-year analysis of feral horse counts in Kosciuszko National Park provides compelling evidence NSW’s so-called ‘horse removal program’ has been...

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Kosciuszko National Park from destructive feral horses.

Reclaim Kosci represents a broad consortium of individuals and organisations that love Kosciuszko National Park and seek to protect it from the impacts of feral horses.

Reclaim Kosci respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and learn. We pay respect to elders past, present and future, and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land, water and culture.