29/07/2026
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: 93 Brumbies Left in the Southern & Northern Retention Zones of KNP: Independent Aerial Survey Shatters NSW Government Numbers and Triggers Urgent Call To Halt This Inhumane Eradication
WHERE IS THE JUSTICE & ACCOUNTABILITY?
The Community Demands Answers, Accountability, and Justice for our Snowy Mountains Brumbies!
An emergency legal and public outcry has erupted across New South Wales following the finalisation of a privately funded, independent aerial count of brumbies within Kosciuszko National Park (KNP). The comprehensive survey data reveals a catastrophic decline in wild horse numbers across both the southern and northern retention zones, with just 93 animals recorded in total.
These findings have been formally integrated into ongoing legal proceedings, intensifying scrutiny over state-backed control operations and official population metrics.
📉 The Findings: Inside the Retention Zones
Carried out in strict accordance with previous New South Wales government population counting methodologies, the independent survey results show numbers drastically below the mandated legislative retention target of 3,000 horses:
❗️Southern KNP Retention Zones: A mere 3 brumbies were recorded.
❗️Northern KNP Retention Zones: Fewer than 90 brumbies were identified.
Legal representatives argue that with the total surviving population standing below 100, the continuation of state-sanctioned culling is entirely unnecessary, rendering further population reduction efforts contradictory to the park's management framework.
Integration Into Ongoing Legal Proceedings:
The newly gathered population data is set to play a pivotal role in the ongoing legal challenge against the aerial culling program. The case is being actively pursued by legal teams, including Roxanne Phoenix and Matthew Holland at XD Lawyers.
The legal proceedings are due back in court for further directions, where an independent expertise process is currently underway. Legal advocates emphasize that independent population data gathered by credible community observers using verifiable methodology forms a significant and critical component of the evidentiary framework as the case proceeds.
Severe Animal Welfare Allegations:
The release of the population data and legal escalation coincides with grave concerns raised by welfare organizations, including PETA, regarding the ex*****on of aerial shooting programs by NSW Parks and Wildlife.
Expert veterinary evidence submitted for the legal proceedings details harrowing outcomes from recent operations. Documentation reportedly reveals over 40 horses that suffered horrific, non-lethal injuries—including broken limbs caused by helicopter pursuits, gut-shots, upper shoulder wounds, and facial impacts. Further evidence highlights severe maternal distress, including pregnant mares shot and aborting foals, alongside unconscionable secondary suffering where dependent newborn foals fell victim to predators while adult mares lay dying.
Direct Appeal to Environment Minister:
Legal advocate and racehorse trainer Sharilea Hitchcock has formally written to NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and key officials, demanding an immediate cessation of all shooting activities.
"Given the brumby population size is now so low it is no longer necessary to reduce the population any further," the correspondence states, noting that over $8 million has been committed to an operation that has drastically overshot safety and management bounds.
Advocates are calling for an immediate review of the independent population data and an agreement to halt further lethal control until transparent, peer-reviewed counts can verify the true scope of the surviving population.
HOW TO HELP:
🗣️Add your voice to the fight—sign the official NSW Parliament e-petition to demand an immediate end to the aerial culling of our heritage brumbies: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/parliamentary-business/petitions/sign-epetition?epetitionId=804
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