Temporary Victory For Wild Brumbies As Aerial Shooting & Trapping Are Suspended In New South Wales
Wild Brumbies in Australia’s Yuraygir National Park have received an important temporary reprieve after planned aerial shooting, ground shooting, and trapping operations were suspended while a legal challenge moves forward.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service had scheduled an aerial shooting operation in western sections of Yuraygir National Park and the Yuraygir State Conservation Area from August 24 through August 28.
Under the NSW National Parks plan, wild Brumbies were among the free-roaming animals targeted in a broader lethal-control program the government says is intended to reduce the impact of “pest animals” on native plants, wildlife, and threatened species — a justification strongly challenged by Brumby advocates.
State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has also publicly opposed the proposed aerial shooting of the Brumbies.
On August 11, Williamson announced that he had sent an urgent letter to NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe calling on the government to halt the proposed aerial shooting of wild horses and provide the local community with greater transparency about the operation.
“I do not believe shooting horses from the air is a humane way to remove these animals from our national parks,” Williamson said in a public statement.
“Our community deserves transparency, proper consultation and confidence that animal management programs are being conducted humanely and responsibly.”
Brumby advocate Carmen Jackson subsequently launched an urgent legal challenge in the New South Wales Land and Environment Court.
Jackson sought urgent court intervention to stop the planned lethal-control operation targeting wild horses in Yuraygir National Park and Yuraygir State Conservation Area.
Following the legal challenge, the NSW government agreed to suspend aerial shooting, ground shooting, and trapping while the matter proceeds through the court.
Williamson welcomed the temporary reprieve in a subsequent public statement.
“I welcome the Government’s decision to pause these measures while the Court considers the matters before it,” Williamson said.
“I also want the Government to consider all possible options for removing wild horses from Yuraygir National Park, including methods that do not involve shooting.”
As of August 31, the original NSW National Parks closure period associated with the planned aerial shooting operation has ended, and no new official notice reinstating the Yuraygir Brumby cull has been identified.
The suspension remains in place while Jackson’s legal challenge continues.
The temporary reprieve does not represent a final victory for the Brumbies, and the court has not yet made a final determination on the legal challenge.
The case is expected to return to court on September 9 as advocates continue fighting to protect the Yuraygir Brumbies.
For now, the wild horses remain protected from the planned operation, marking an important temporary victory for the Brumbies and those working tirelessly to help save their lives.
