Five domestic horses have been shot dead by NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff during an aerial pest control operation on the NSW–Queensland border.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe confirmed the “unfortunate incident”, saying the animals were mistakenly targeted during a broad-scale feral animal cull at Thurloo Downs in late September.
“Unfortunately, some horses were left in the area and five domestic horses were unintentionally shot and killed during a broad scale feral animal control program,” Ms Sharpe said during question time on Wednesday.
“National Parks has apologised for this very unfortunate accident [and] is conducting further review into the matter so that we ensure that this does not happen again.”
The property, purchased by the state government in 2023, was in the process of being gazetted as a national park at the time of the incident.
Sharpe said the land had not yet been formally transferred to the NPWS and that there was an “ongoing handover process to deal with legacy issues”, including pest management.
She said notifications of the cull were issued to the previous owner and neighbours two weeks before the aerial operation, but said several domestic horses from a nearby property had wandered into a mob of wild horses.
“There had been some issues in separating the domestic horses from the wild horses and in terms of notification,” she added.
An NPWS spokesperson apologised to the family affected.
“It is upsetting that these animals were caught up in the program and National Park and Wildlife Services regrets that this occurred and apologises to the family owning the horses,” the spokesperson said.
Nationals MLC Scott Barrett, who questioned Ms Sharpe about the shooting, described it as a “tragic incident that never should have happened.”
“I want to see a full investigation because we need to know how this happened and we need to make sure it never happens again,” Barrett said.
“I also want to see full compensation for the owner of the horses, though nothing could truly makeup for what they’ve been through.”
Barrett acknowledged that aerial culling was “essential” to managing feral animals, including brumby populations, but said “any issues need to be immediately addressed, so the community can have confidence in this vital program.”
“How do we trust National Parks to manage land if they can’t tell difference between a feral pig and a camp draft horse,” he said.
“This raises serious concerns about the competency of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to manage the millions of acres already under their control in western NSW.”
It is understood an internal review will be conducted.
Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough defended the NPWS, arguing the onus should not be on rangers to identify domestic animals during pest operations.
“It shouldn’t be up to National Parks to tell the difference between feral and domestic horses,” Mr Gough said.
“Imagine how ridiculous it would be if National Parks had to check every pig or goat or horse to make sure some irresponsible person didn’t own them when they are carrying out feral animal control.
“It needs to be easier to shoot escaped stock that is trashing and trampling national parks, not harder.
National parks deserve praise for conducting feral animal control and the owner deserves the condemnation for letting their stock loose in a national park.”
Images: Shutterstock
