The feral horse population in Kosciuszko National Park has risen dramatically since all horse control was halted in the park 20 months ago, Freedom of Information documents reveal.

Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox said the growth in horses revealed by the new data is very disappointing.

“It has been almost a year since the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act went through NSW Parliament and we’ve seen absolutely nothing but excuses for inaction from the NSW government.

“By refusing to implement a horse management plan Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the NSW government are only making the problem bigger. How many more hundreds of unwanted foals are going to be born before they decide to act?”

The horse count data shows the number of horses sighted from the air over the northern end of the park doubled in just six years. In the past year alone since trapping stopped there has been a 30% increase in horses observed.

Only 75 horses were observed in the northern end when aerial counts began in 1998. In 2018 there were 2,791 horses counted, a 34-fold increase in twenty years.

Horse counts in the Big Boggy area in the southern end also show a doubling of horse numbers over six years. This growth is corroborated by a similar increase in horse dung counts in the same area.

“The population is out-of-control,” Mr Cox said.

“Feral horses are trampling and destroying the springs and waterways of the high country. There are endangered species such as the broad-toothed mouse losing their habitats because of this damage.

“Feral horses have no predators in Kosciuszko, and their numbers will continue to rise until they reach a limiting factor, most likely starvation or malnutrition. Many native animals will suffer a similar fate as the horses remove their food sources and shelter.

“The NSW government needs to act now and take a stand to reduce the horse population, for the protection of the park and the welfare of the horses. The time for delays is over.”

About the data

Each year the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service conducts a count by helicopter of all feral horses observed in the northern end of the park.

This yearly count relies on horses sighted while overflying areas known to have horses. It is not as systematic as the five-yearly, large-scale count of Kosciusko in NSW and the Alpine National Park in Victoria, currently underway.

The horse count data was supplied to the Invasive Species Council after an application under the NSW Government Information (Access to Information) Act. No aerial horse count data had been publicly released since 2015.

Reclaim Kosci

The Invasive Species Council is fighting back against the failure to protect Kosciuszko National Park from feral horses and is the lead organisation behind Reclaim Kosci, which is:

Raising awareness about the impacts of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

Championing the campaign to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018.

Seeking a substantial reduction in the feral horse population in Kosciuszko National Park through humane and effective means.

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