Kosciuszko National Park wild horse shooting suspended until 2027

Wild-horse shooting in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) will remain suspended until 2027 as authorities await the results of a new population survey. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed the pause applies to aerial shooting, ground shooting, and shooting in trap yards, though passive trapping for rehoming efforts will continue.

In November, aerial operations will shift focus to feral deer and pigs, necessitating weekday closures in parts of southern KNP. The ongoing trapping has drawn criticism from the Brumby Action Group, which argues that continuing the practice during foaling season is “unacceptably cruel” and violates national Standard Operating Procedures regarding the protection of mares and dependent young.

In the NSW Legislative Council, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe addressed inquiries regarding the permanence of the shooting pause. Sharpe stated that aerial control remains part of the government’s strategy for managing invasive species, including horses, but emphasized it would be conducted under “very strict independent oversight and with animal welfare checks.”