Deer but no brumbies targeted in Vic’s post-fire cull

Victoria’s environment department says an aerial cull of pest animals will not involve shooting brumbies.

Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has clarified that a government cull of pest animals in fire-affected areas will not include wild horses.

The department on Monday notified residents via the VicEmergency website it would begin aerial shooting operations that day in the fire-affected Mount Buffalo and Alpine nat­ional parks.

“The aerial shooting operation will be targeting pest predators and large pest herbivores in priority fire-affected areas as a necessary, urgent action to give native plants and animals the best chance of survival after the fires," the notification said.

The department did not provide a response to questions late on Monday about how many wild horses were likely to be killed in the operation, or whether a quota had been set, but on Tuesday a spokesman clarified that no horses would be targeted.

The cull is expected to target feral deer, goats and pigs and predator species including foxes and feral cats.

In 2018, the Victorian government announced it intended to remove 1,200 wild horses from the Alpine National Park.

The Australian understands this involves taking the horses to knackeries, rather than aerial shooting.

Questions have been put to DELWP about whether the 1,200 target has been met.

Victoria's policy on wild horses contrasts with that of the NSW government, which in 2018 overturned a planned cull intended to reduce the number of horses in the Kosciuszko National Park by 90 per cent over 20 years.

Instead, NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the prohibition of culling, citing the “cultural significance” of brumbies.

In their VicEmergency statement, DELWP said the aerial shooting would only be carried out in areas closed to the public.

“The community is reminded to stay out of areas closed to the public until advised the area is safe," the department said.

Residents were warned that they may “see a helicopter and be able to hear gunshots” during the operation, which will be conducted in very remote country.
“The aerial shooting program will be carried out under strict conditions designed to ensure the operation is safe, effective and ­humane,” the department said.
“Highly qualified pilots and shooters will be used during the operation.”