ABA Media release: Monday 20-January-2020
From fire to bloodbath – Reclaim Kosci desire to prolong KNP’s suffering
The Australian Brumby Alliance (ABA) is very disappointed to see the further depths the Invasive Species Council’s (ISC) Reclaim Kosci has sunk to in its kill Brumbies crusade with renewed calls for NSW government to take action to protect Kosciuszko National Park from post fires feral horse grazing with an effective, humane and science-based management plan.
Reclaim Kosci’s action is odd and in contempt given that Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 Scientific and Community Advisory panels are already developing an effective, humane and science-based management plan for Minister Kean, who is very aware of the urgency to manage Brumbies.
It seems evident that the Reclaim lobbyists only ‘plan’ is to kill Brumbies, based on science they claim shows that even at low numbers, horse damage to alpine areas is significant and cumulative. Similar conclusions were drawn in Tolsma and Shannon’s 2018 Bogong High Plains study but it was demonstrated, during open court cross-examination in July 2019 that the supporting research was seriously flawed.
Furthermore, scientists who support Reclaim Kosci refused to nominate for advisory panels established under the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018, and instead focus on undermining the advisory panel’s credibility and replace it with a ‘kill now’ agenda.
The Act’s two advisory panels contain significant relevant experience. Reclaim Kosci’s call for effective, humane and science-based management suggests they do not recognise panel members selected, for example, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte (Community Panel Deputy Chair and the Minister’s representative) and other advisory panel scientists, as being capable of drafting an effective, humane and science-based management plan.
If this is so, the ISC’s Reclaim Kosci lobby group show great arrogance in discounting the panel’s scientific qualifications and a stubborn refusal to use the Act as an opportunity to resolve an age old conflict of pro and anti-Brumby views.
The ABA supports the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 and the processes the Act has in place to deliver Minister Kean with a timely, effective, humane and truly science-based NSW Wild Horse management plan that will identify sustainable levels in areas for Wild Horses to be protected and managed to that protected level.
Authorised by Jill Pickering – Australian Brumby Alliance – 0400-558-772 – 20-Jan-20
Download Media Release : ABA Media release: Monday 20-January-2020
