Feral horse population surge in Kosciuszko National Park and government response
Consensus Summary
Feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park surged to an estimated 6,476–16,411 by late 2025, up from 2,131–5,639 in 2024, following a pause in aerial culling. The NSW government, led by Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, announced the resumption of culling in June 2026 to meet a legal target of reducing the population to 3,000 by mid-2027. Both sources agree the government is exploring fertility control methods and retaining zones covering 32% of the park, where up to 3,000 horses are allowed to remain. Conservation groups like the Invasive Species Council criticize the retention zones as ineffective, while brumby advocates oppose lethal methods, advocating for rehoming instead. The 2025 survey, conducted using helicopter-based distance sampling, was peer-reviewed and confirmed the sharp rebound in horse numbers, prompting calls for urgent policy changes.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Feral horse population in Kosciuszko National Park was estimated at 6,476–16,411 in late 2025, up from 2,131–5,639 in 2024.
- Aerial culling of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park resumed in June 2026 after a pause in 2025.
- NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe stated the government aims to reduce feral horse numbers to 3,000 by mid-2027, as required by law.
- The NSW government is investigating reproductive control methods (e.g., fertility darts) as an additional population management tool.
- The 2025 survey used the 'mark recapture distance sampling' method, conducted by helicopter with three observers.
- Retention zones covering 32% of Kosciuszko National Park allow up to 3,000 horses to remain, as per the current management plan.
- The NSW government repealed the *Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act* in 2025, removing legal protections for the horses.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Gabriela Black, co-founder of Cooma Mountain Brumby Sanctuary, claimed she had 'trouble finding brumbies' during a recent visit to the park.
- ABC noted the 2025 population estimate's best single estimate was 10,309 horses.
- ABC described the fertility control trial as a 'political fix' (quote attributed to Jack Gough).
- The Guardian included a quote from Penny Sharpe: 'No one wants to have to kill horses. But there are still too many in Kosciuszko national park.'
- The Guardian mentioned the Invasive Species Council's CEO, Jack Gough, called the retention zones a 'ridiculous 3,000 horse target' and urged their scrapping.
- The Guardian specified that the 2024 population drop followed the resumption of aerial shooting after a pause in 2025.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC suggests the 2025 population is lower than 2023 levels, while the Guardian does not provide a 2023 comparison.
- The Guardian implies the 2024 population drop was due to resumed culling, but the ABC does not explicitly state this as a cause.
Source Articles
Feral horse numbers surge in Kosciuszko national park after pause in aerial culling, survey shows
Conservationists say population rebound demands rethink of retention zones that allow thousands of the animals to remain in the park Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Feral horse numbers in the Kosciuszko national park have surged, with new survey data estimating populations climbed by thousands after the New South Wales government paused aerial culling in 2025. Conservation advocates say the rebound in numbers demands an urgent rethink of retention zones that allow th
Aerial shooting to resume as brumby numbers spike in national park
Wild horse numbers in the NSW Snowy Mountains are back up with a reproductive control trial now being considered as aerial shooting has been confirmed to resume.