WPSQ News Release: WPSQ supports feral horse control

Feral horse numbers are damaging
natural and cultural heritage in
Carnavon Nation Park.
Photo Jasen Anderson

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland supports the Queensland Government’s ongoing commitment to the current feral animal control program initiated in 2007.

The government has recently resumed the cull of feral horses in Carnavon National Park where it plans to reduce the 4000-6000 population of brumbies.

'The feral animal crisis at Carnarvon National Park is being addressed head on,' said Des Boyland, Wildlife Queensland's Policies and Campaigns manager.

'Wildlife Queensland and other conservation groups commended the Government on their initiative in 2007 and were waiting to see that planned follow up action was in fact implemented.'

'An ongoing commitment and adequate funding for several years to come will be required from Government to achieve an acceptable situation,' stated Mr Boyland.

'The 2008 operation yet again reflects careful planning and execution addressing animal welfare and work place health and safety issues.'

'Although certain sections of the community are opposed to the feral animal control program, all other alternatives have been fully explored and were found to be inappropriate to address the problem in this particular situation. Wildlife Queensland strongly supports this initiative,' said Mr Boyland.

'However, reducing populations of feral animals to manageable levels is only phase one of the overall program. A maintenance program is essential otherwise this current effort will be a waste of time and effort,' commented Mr Boyland.

Wildlife Queensland would like to see a feral animal control program rolled out for all other national parks. Such a program should indicate objectives and timelines so that performance can be assessed. This needs to be addressed as a priority.

Why are feral horses a conservation issue?

Australia’s fragile ecosystems are damaged by horses. Horses in National Parks are a particular concern because their sharp hooves damage creek banks and erode fragile areas, they destroy native vegetation, and their droppings and urine pollute waterways. Horse populations in National Parks, if allowed to expand unchecked, result in horses dying of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition.

Horses were introduced to Australia by white settlers; like many introduced feral domestic species, they have become a conservation problem because of mismanagement by humans.

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, contact us by email or call +61 7 3221 0194