Environmentalists welcome plan to allow aerial shooting of feral horses in Kosciuszko national park

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🗞️ Driving the news: The New South Wales government has announced a plan to introduce aerial shooting of feral horses in the Kosciuszko national park, as part of measures to control the surging population
• The proposal aims to protect endangered species and ecosystems but has met with mixed reactions

🔭 The context: The park's biodiversity is in grave danger, with over 30 threatened native species at risk of extinction due to introduced animals, including wild horses

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The uncontrolled population of feral horses is threatening sensitive alpine ecosystems and habitats, risking the extinction of native animals and plants
• The situation calls for urgent action to restore ecological balance in one of Australia's key national parks

⏭️ What's next: The proposal to introduce aerial shooting is still in the consultation phase, with the government seeking input from park users, scientists, and community leaders
• The plan would be used in conjunction with existing measures like trapping, relocating, and ground shooting

💬 One quote: “No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we have a choice to make between urgently reducing the numbers of feral horses or accepting the destruction of sensitive alpine ecosystems and habitats, and the decline and extinction of native animals”(Jack Gough of the Invasive Species Council)

📈 One stat: The most recent official count estimates there are between 14,501 and 23,535 feral horses across the park, with the number of horses having increased by 4,000 over two years
• The plan aims to reduce this number to 3,000 by 2027

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