UPDATE: Outrage Grows As Australia’s Aerial Shooting Of Iconic Wild Brumbies Continues Through July 11
UPDATE (July 2, 2026)
Australia’s controversial aerial shooting of iconic wild brumbies inside Kosciuszko National Park continues to spark outrage around the world as animal welfare advocates renew calls for the New South Wales government to halt the cruel program.
Despite growing public opposition, government officials say the operation is necessary to reduce brumby numbers and protect the park’s fragile alpine ecosystems. Animal welfare advocates, however, argue that humane alternatives, including fertility control, relocation, and rehoming, must be fully explored before more brumbies are killed.
The aerial shooting program, which resumed in early June, is currently scheduled to continue through July 11, raising renewed concern among animal welfare advocates who fear that more of Australia’s iconic wild brumbies will lose their lives in the coming days.
On July 1, supporters gathered outside the office of New South Wales Environment Minister Penny Sharpe in Sydney, urging the government to immediately halt the aerial shooting program and embrace more compassionate solutions. The peaceful demonstration brought together brumby advocates, animal welfare supporters, and lawmakers united in their call to end the controversial helicopter shooting.
Award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and Wild Beauty Foundation founder Ashley Avis, who has been documenting the aerial shooting firsthand in Australia and attended Wednesday’s rally in Sydney, shared the following statement with World Animal News:
“The violence occurring in the Kosciuszko National Park, the way the government is gunning down brumbies and condoning it as humane, is unspeakable. Standing in Sydney this week alongside brumby advocates and lawmakers such as the Honorable Emma Hurst was bolstering. The compassionate public has spoken: whether it is here in Australia or home in the United States, citizens do not want to see these iconic animals brutalized – and are demanding for it to end.”
Avis shared newly filmed footage from inside Kosciuszko National Park documenting the aftermath of the aerial shooting program. During her time in the park, she came across the body of a Palomino stallion that had been killed.
The Wild Beauty Foundation also shared in a statement:
“The images in this video were filmed over the past forty-eight hours inside Kosciuszko National Park in Australia, where the New South Wales government has authorized the shooting of wild brumbies from helicopters and by ground teams.”
The organization added:
“As you can see, there is nothing humane about this.”
For generations, Australia’s iconic wild brumbies have been woven into the nation’s history and cultural identity. As debate over their future continues, conservationists, scientists, lawmakers, and animal welfare advocates remain deeply divided over how best to protect both Kosciuszko National Park’s fragile ecosystems and Australia’s iconic wild brumbies.
World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals believe the future of Australia’s wild brumbies should be guided by compassion, innovation, and respect for life. Humane, science-based solutions deserve to be fully explored so that these beautiful, iconic horses do not have to lose their lives.
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Wild brumbies in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park are once again at the center of a heated debate as aerial shooting operations continue throughout June.
The New South Wales government has resumed the controversial program, which is expected to result in the deaths of thousands of brumbies and continues to draw opposition from animal welfare advocates and brumby supporters around the world.
Among those raising concerns is the Wild Beauty Foundation, which recently shared a statement supporting Australia’s wild horses.
“We stand with the Australian brumbies.”
“Please listen to a message from filmmaker and Wild Beauty Foundation founder @ashleyavis who is traveling to Sydney to document the ongoing massacre of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park.”
According to the foundation:
“Throughout the month of June, thousands of brumbies are slated to be killed through an aerial shooting program, described by authorities as a “cull,” carried out from helicopters.”
The future of Australia’s brumbies has been the subject of intense debate for years. While many Australians view the iconic wild horses as an important part of the nation’s heritage, government officials argue that population control measures are necessary within Kosciuszko National Park.
“Brumbies are woven into Australia’s history and identity, yet despite significant public concern and ongoing debate surrounding their management, mares, foals, and stallions are being condemned to a violent end from the air.”
“We cannot stand idly by.”
The Wild Beauty Foundation also expressed concerns about transparency surrounding the operations.
“Reports indicate that areas of the park have been closed during these operations, limiting public access and raising disturbing questions about transparency and accountability.”
As debate over the future of Australia’s wild horses continues, advocates are calling for solutions they believe will better protect the animals while addressing management concerns within the park.
“The Wild Beauty Foundation stands with horses everywhere – here in the United States and abroad. In that spirit, we stand with the Australians who love and cherish the brumbies and who believe these animals deserve humane solutions, not violent and antiquated practices that end in fear, panic, and suffering.”
The foundation is also encouraging supporters around the world to help bring attention to the issue.
“We are asking those who have been part of our journey to stand with our Australian partners by sharing this message, raising awareness, and helping shine a global spotlight on the plight of the brumbies.”
TAKE ACTION!
If you oppose the aerial shooting of Australia’s wild brumbies, respectfully contact New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and urge the government to pursue humane alternatives, including fertility control, relocation, and rehoming programs.
Contact Premier Chris Minns HERE!
Contact New South Wales Government Ministers HERE!
Please keep all correspondence respectful and constructive. Every voice matters for Australia’s wild brumbies.
