Rethinking the mantra of biodiversity: Why the past should not determine the future

from the ABC Website The New South Wales state government has recently commenced the aerial killings of 14,000 feral horses residing in Kosciuszko National Park. The goal is to meet the legislated requirement of reducing the number of horses in the park to 3,000 by 2027. This legislation was passed because NSW has the legal mandate of protecting biodiversity and because the activities of feral horses are classified as a threat to native species, such as Corroboree frogs and broad-tooth rats. This policy illustrates the normative assumptions of conservation policy-makers, which are well-captured in Michael Soulé’s famous article, “What Is… Continue reading

Live Stream of Animal Welfare inquiry into proposed aerial shooting of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park

The second day of hearings by the NSW Legislative Committee on Animal Welfare will be Live Streamed on Monday 5 February 2024. You can watch live at the link below: In September 2023 ABA posted info on the Committee’s the call for submissions by 13 October. ABA President Jill Pickering and Vice President Nikki Alberts gave evidence before the Animal Welfare Committee, chaired by the Hon Emma Hurst MLC, on 18 December 2023 and you can view a video of that day’s live stream using the links below: Continue reading

ABA appalled at NSW Government decision to introduce aerial shooting of Brumbies

Australian Brumby Alliance Inc. Media Release 27th October 2023 The Australian Brumby Alliance (ABA) is appalled at the decision by Minister Sharpe to amend the Wild Horse Management Plan and overturn the NSW ban on aerial shooting of wild horses. In the wake of this decision, the ABA calls on Minister Sharpe to commit to a balanced approach to management, including a strengthened commitment to passive trapping and rehoming as the most humane management method. “Aerial culling was banned because evidence from Guy Fawkes National Park massacre and other locations showed it was a cruel and imprecise way to manage… Continue reading

Urgent Reminder – “have your say” on Amending the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan

Please complete on-line Survey and email submission by 11-Sept-2023 The amendment proposed to the NSW Wild Horse Heritage management plan is to add aerial shooting to the current control methods of ground shooting, trapping for rehoming or if no rehomers available, horses are trucked to the knackery. It is vital for you and each of your contacts to “have your say” by doing any one  of the following:  Draft amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan (qualtrics.com) scroll  down page to find survey questions, then also complete  your submission responding to option 2 or 3 below;… Continue reading