A Brumby and an Eastern Grey Kangaroo interact in the Yarrangobilly area of the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, Australia, on Aug. 24, 2020. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has suspended the culling of wild horses in a national park on the state’s north coast ahead of a trial to determine whether the practice will continue.
Advocate Carmen Jackson lodged an eleventh hour legal application with the NSW Land and Environment Court to prevent the culling of horses in the Yuraygir National Park, which was set to start this week.
Jackson’s case was first heard at 1 a.m. as an emergency matter, before being mentioned several times throughout the day.
Her argument against the planned four-day aerial culling event was based off her belief there is no statutory instrument permitting the culling in the park’s management plan and that the listed method is trapping.
The NPWS ultimately agreed to suspend all shooting—by air or ground—until Jackson’s case is heard on Oct. 9 and 10.
Advocate Andrew Thaler, who has also campaigned against the culling of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park, says shooting the horses is cruel and inhumane.
“We’re finding horses with a sweat lacquer on the lower side,” he said.
“The vet said that’s dry sweat, indicating the horse was extremely stressed or had been running.”
Thaler likened it to a “demoralisation strategy” from government.
“The message from government is control, coercion, ‘we will do what we want when we want and you can’t stop us’.”
The NPWS told The Epoch Times it would comply with any directions of the court relating to the Yuraygir National Park horses.
“National Parks and Wildlife Service has confirmed that all aerial shooting, ground shooting and trapping operations in Yuraygir National Park and Yuraygir State Conservation Area are suspended pending the outcome of an expedited hearing which is listed on Sept. 9 and 10, 2026,” a spokesperson said.
“Animal welfare is a high priority, and all operations are conducted under strict procedures.
“As the matter is before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A separate hearing to prevent the culling of the Mount Kosciuszko brumbies will be heard on Oct. 23.
While shooting is listed in the Mount Kosciuszko wild horse management plan following a 2023 amendment by the environment minister, horse advocates intend to argue that the practice is cruel.
