2016
Response Document Draft Report
Feral Horse Eradication NPWS
Lynette Sutton
Hoofs2010 Incorporated
5/9/2016
Response Document to
Draft Report Pest Animal management review March 2016
Document prepared in Response to review
By Lynette Sutton
President and Wild horse Advocate
This document will address concerns and recommendations relating to this Draft Document.
The information used in this response has been collected from independent studies, stockmen and
horse welfare professionals and from firsthand experience in wild horse issues.
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Feral Horse Migration
Australian Endangered mountain Animals
Horse Numbers reproduction
Non peer reviewed Studies
Environmental Impacts of Horses
Compaction and Erosion
 Compact and Erosion, It is essential that studies are conducted to quantify the
degree to which Brumbies now contribute to the area that has evolved with
their presence over the past 150-200 years. To date no peer reviewed studies
associated with the negative or positive values created by the presence of hard
hooved animals in the Australian environment
Vegetation and trampling
Vegetation species and plant enrichment
Bark chewing
Damage to bogs and waterways
Facilitation of weed and seed spreading
Community composition Birds fish crabs reptiles and ants
Criticism and vested Parties
Importance of rigorous maintenance and methods to ensure success
Techniques currently considered non effective in sustainable management
Estimated numbers and maintenance removal rates 17%
Methods currently considered under NPWS management response
 Aerial Culling will never be accepted as a means to wild horse management by all vested
parties
 Trapping has been an accepted method by vested parties
 Ground shooting as a conditional method under humane standards
Environmental Impacts of Horses
 No current peer studies
Feral Horse Migration
 It has been discussed that the feral horse can travel up to and in excess of 16 klm a day. It is
a well-documented fact horses are territorial and remain in a claimed area of grazing that
ensure ample food and water. These herds will only migrate when environmental changes
occur such as drought or inclement weather conditions such as Snow fall in the Alps.
Australian Native Flora
 Ten weeds of concern were investigated with only 2 being transported by grazing animals
such as Horse Pig Kangaroo Wallaby, Dingo.
 Several threatened species studied for this submission were highly poisonous to horses and
noted that Global warming is the Key threat to extinction of endangered Flora as noted
( Flora Values) Dr Alec Costin AM Prof Jamie Kirkpatrick AM, Dane Wimbush
Horse Numbers and Reproduction
The horse numbers documented by NPWS 2014 at 6000 with considerations given to the 2000 head
removed over the 5 year study period 2009-14 reproduction rates would be estimated at 640 foals
born per annum.
If Horse population could be reduced to 3000 head management could be sustained at
approximately 240 removed per annum. Which would allow better rehoming rates and easier
management of ill, aged, and injured animals. It would also allow for area management and a
reduction of negative impacts in Eco sensitive areas.
Environmental Impacts of Horses
 No peer reviewed Studies exist in Australia.
These horses contribute to an important part of the parks ecosystem by
conservation grazing, seed regeneration, and creating food sources and habitats for
Bird life, Coleoptera and non-arthropod invertebrate animals.
Independent studies on benefits hard hooved animals bring to the ecosystem would
benefit the management strategies for all interested Parties Such as Conservation
studies taking place around the world.
Compact and Erosion, There are no peer reviewed studies associated with the facts
of benefits nor positive values created by the presence of hard hooved animals in
the environment.
Brumbies usually walk in format the easiest route to water. Bog areas with
environmental value and sensitivities could be exclusion fenced.
Photographic documentation provide by NPWs and studies show damage of
Wombat and pig diggings but not horse damage
At no time in Australian past has a system been studied taking into consideration
since settlement changes that have occurred to the Australian environment and
how the system has adjusted or coped with these changes. A broader valuation of
the system today and impacts of all parts of the system
Criticism and Vested parties
 Consultation have been unsuccessful due to outdated scientific facts and green ideology that
neither support or negate the working system that is evolved over 200 years
 Regardless of the Heritage connection world conservationists are years ahead in research of
Horses and the environment. With several active conservation trials in Wales, Virginia,
Scotland and the Savanah.
 Before consultation and agreements can be exacted the NPWS need to establish an exact
figure of acceptable wild horses under the act and engage further studies from peer
supported scientist on the benefits of conservation grazing in the Australian environment.
 The ABA must set an acceptable financial support from the government to facilitate better
rehoming options for Australian Preservation efforts and provide funding for proper studies
on wild horse benefits and the ecology
 Population reduction suggestions by NPWS are not acceptable to the broader community,
nor will they be accepted as the way forward in wild horse management. It is deemed that a
suitable negotiation be reached where all aspects of Culture, Heritage, Environment and
Community wellbeing are catered for to see prosperity for all sectors of Settlement in
Australia
 The NPWS have to date always focused on one element of the eco system whilst
unsatisfactorily addressing other important issues which are outlined in critiques
Scenario 1 loss of vegetation and contamination to water sources
 One Horse carcass weigh’s approximately at the lower end of estimation 250KGs
 Shot and killed falls to the ground covering an area of roughly 2x2 metres
 Decaying carcass destroys all vegetation immediately effected by leaching of acids and waste
matter.
 Leaching seeps into water table and possible underground springs causing contamination
Diagram 1
Decaying Carcass showing results of
leaching all vegetation underneath
carcass has died
Effects of food sources for negative carnivores after culling of feral
Horses
Diagram 2 Horse carcass enables large food source for Carnivorous predators increasing
threat to native marsupials
Feral
Horse
Food
Source
Carnivores
Wild
Dog
Increasing
population
Dingo
Wild
Pig
Decrease
native
animals
Feral horse , Herbivore, hard hooved passive grazing Animal, under NPWS draft Management
plan eradication by ground shooting of 6,000 horses over a period of time negative impacts
 Horse reproductive cycle 12 months gestation period single offspring
 Average horse weight minimum 250kgs of meat available food source for Wild Pig, Wild Dog,
Dingo
 Wild Pig gestation period 114 to 140 days multiple births 4 to 6 offspring annually
 Wild Dogs gestation period 9 weeks multiple births 4 to 6 offspring annually
 Dingo,s gestation period 9 weeks multiple births 4 to 6 offspring annually
 Fox Females are monoestrous with a 1-6 day oestrus cycle. In Australia, breeding occurs
between June and October. Litter sizes range from 1 to 12, with average litter sizes being 3
to 6 pups. Litter sizes can increase with higher food availability and with age of females.
Wild Pig
Feral
Horse
Wild Dog
Dingo
Fox
Diagram 3 eradication of one feral horse by shooting can increase carnivorous predators
Evaluating pros and cons of each species discussed
FERAL H ORSE, EQUUS FERUS CABALLUS
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NEGATIVE IMPACTS AS DOCUMENTED IN DEC 2008 H ORSE MANAGEMENT PLAN KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL
PARK
Network trails
Compaction of Soil
Cause widening and collapse of stream banks
Damage wetlands and contribute to erosion
Data sourced for study (1990 Dyring, 1979 Marshall & Holmes, Lance et al 1989)
NON PEER STUDIED BENEFITS FROM FERAL HORSE HABITATION
POSITIVE IMPACTS FROM FERAL HORSE OCCUPATION IN AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT
 Pudging, environmental pot plant seed holders, Pudging created by hoof impression in moist
soil allows for seed trapping and germination. Allows water to pool for irrigation of seed.
 Lawn maintenance and rejuvenation, reduce fire intensity, create new lawns for native
graziers
 Seed spreading of desirable plants for rejuvenation, Noted :- Seed spreading of weeds also
however horses are selective graziers and can only spread seed if plants are already
accessible inside the National Park.
 Dung provides fertilizer, seed regeneration, and creating food sources and habitats for Bird
life, Coleoptera and non-arthropod invertebrate animals.
 Coat hairs provide nesting materials for bird life,
 Iconic and Heritage value, to all Australians and international visitors
 Tourism, economic growth, Employment, Education and vet sciences
OTHER SPECIES INHABITING THE NATIONAL PARK P OSITIVE AND NEGATIVE
WILD PIG , Not able to source any positive impacts for feral pigs.
Negative aspects of feral pigs Omnivores
Wallowing,
Root destruction,
Leaf and legume removal,
Soil degradation.
Omnivores,
Destroy fencing
WILD DOG ,HYBRID DINGO, DINGO
BENEFITS
UNSURE OF BENEFITS NATIVE DINGO AND FERAL DOGS BRING TO THE ENVIRONMENT
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF DINGO, HYBRID DINGO AND WILD DOGS
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS DOCUMENTED
HUNTING, ERADICATION OF NATIVE MARSUPIALS. THREATEN SPECIES OR BIRD LIFE, THREATEN SPECIES OF DOMESTIC
ANIMALS, MULTIPLE BIRTH REPRODUCTION.
CLOSING ADDRESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF MAJOR CONCERN IN
KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK
Balance needs to be achieved through positive management and scientific study relating to the
benefits of grazing animals and their place in the environment, 200 years of occupation has incurred
changes to the system and we must ensure that future management strategies foresee possible
complications and imbalance of ecosystem’s that have been altered.
The Draft plan for the eradication of the Feral Horse population in Kosciuszko National Park is short
sighted and lacks long term planning and consequence to the balance of the system that has evolved
over substantial period of time IE 200 years.
Scientific data used for management strategies is outdated and lacks investigation of contribution to
the environment that horses bring. Studies have been regimented and reporting information
governed by selective investigation that is based on Non-native invasive effects without foresight to
the balance of the system in a broader scenario.
Acts and legislation dictate the method and manner in which invasive species are studied and dealt
with in the Australian culture. Australia was invaded by white man centuries ago with settlement
came remnants of a past way that evolved into the ecosystem of today.
World Scientist are now studying through research and trials the benefits the Wild horse brings to
the system and lead the way in a new age of management that sees sustainability achieved without
detriment to a world evolved. It is our duty to ensure all aspects of the living world exist in harmony
and all elements of humanity are preserved nurtured and balanced to see a successful world for
generations to come.
All values from all sectors of the community are to be considered heavily where Heritage , Iconic
ideology, Public perception, Civil pride, Tourism, Environmental preservation, Humane management
and best practise should lead the way forward.
Document written
May 9th 2016
By Lynette Sutton