A plan to almost entirely wipe out the Snowy Mountains brumby population has seen local animal lovers torn between wanting to protect the Australian icons and the need to conserve the environment.
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Announced on Sunday, the Wild Horse Management plan for Kosciusko National Park would reduce the current number of wild horses in the national park area from 6000 to 3000 within 10 years.
The news has put those passionate about the natural environment in an ethical predicament, having to choose between supporting the mass cull for the benefit of the environment, or opposing the plan due to animal cruelty concerns.
President of Wagga’s Best Friend Pet Rescue Janey Adams, who is also an environmental scientist, said the proposal, though unfortunately drastic, had merit.
“There's an inherent tension in the air between loving animals and doing what’s best for the fragile natural environment of the national park,” she said.
“Unfortunately this kind of extermination is really the only option they have because numbers have gotten so out of control.
“It's a really tough thing to do, because the brumbies are such an iconic animal in that country, but they don't belong up there in such large populations because they do quite a significant amount of damage.”
Scientists have long suggested the removal of brumbies from the NSW high country, saying they do damage to natural waterways and plant life.
“Their hooves are quite destructive, and they trample the plant system, which is quite fragile,” Ms Adams said.
“That landscape is very special and unique to Australia and unfortunately we do need to do everything we can to conserve it.”
Founder and president of charity Save the Brumbies Inc Jan Carter said the damage claimed to be done by the brumbies was “complete hype”.
"There is more damage being done by wild pigs, wombats, wild cats, foxes and yet brumbies are being targeted,” she said.
“The horses are scattered throughout the park, which is a huge area.
“So there’s no way they could be causing the damage they are being accused of.
“They’re at a very sustainable number.”
Ms Carter said such a large cull would cause severe consequences for the future of the herd.
“To reduce the numbers to such a small amount will lead to inbreeding and defects,” she said.
“It will eventually eliminate the horses altogether.”
The draft plan will be on public exhibition from May 1 to July 8, during which time the community will be able to provide feedback about the proposal.
