The NSW Upper House has released its report following an inquiry into the aerial shooting of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

The report finds:

• The count methodology used by the NSW government to count horses in Kosciuszko National Park uses current global best practice methods.
• Aerial shooting is the only method that allows the NSW government to reach the legislated target of 3,000 horses in the park by the 2027 deadline. All other methods are unable to reach the target number by the deadline.
• There is no clear evidence that any breaches to animal welfare have occurred.
• The National Parks and Wildlife staff have often faced terrible abuse online and in the community.

It also recommends:

• That aerial control of horses, as well as other invasive animals, should continue in NSW as a way of protecting the natural environment.
• The NSW government should have an appropriate, independent third-party review of the Standard Operating Procedure regularly to ensure it continues to reflect best practice and is as robust and humane as possible.

‘The strong cross-party support from Labor, Liberals, Greens and independents for effective control, including through aerial shooting, reflects the strong public support for action to protect our wildlife and streams from being trashed, trampled and polluted by feral horses,’ Invasive Species Council Advocacy Director Jack Gough said.

‘Aerial culling by highly trained professionals is the only viable way of reducing numbers and saving the national park and our native animals that live there.

‘This report should once and for all end the ridiculous anti-science questioning of the feral horse count figures by a small minority that do not want to see a single feral horse removed from the National Park.

‘The ongoing harassment, abuse and intimidation of National Parks staff by some extreme individuals must also cease.

’We have full confidence that national park staff are undertaking these important operations professionally, safely and humanely, as has been confirmed by numerous independent reviews, including by the RSPCA and vets.

‘No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we have a choice to make between urgently reducing the numbers of feral horses or accepting the destruction of sensitive alpine rivers, and the decline and extinction of native animals and their homes.

‘For the first time in 2 decades, we are finally seeing our sensitive National Parks healing from the destruction of feral horses. The recent successful control programs in Barrington Tops and World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests, as well as Blue Mountains World Heritage areas, are testament to the commitment and leadership on this issue from the Minns Government.

‘The NSW Parliament should now repeal the ridiculous Barilaro law that still prioritises feral horses over native animals in Kosciuszko National Park.’