Parks Victoria have drafted a new plan to remove all brumbies from the Bogong High Plains over the next 10 years.
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In releasing the draft Feral Horse Action Plan 2021 on Friday, the peak state body said the preferred control methods include rehoming where possible, ground shooting, aerial shooting "in exceptional circumstances, or if other methods cannot meet objectives" and fenced exclusion zones.
And they are now calling for public submissions to the draft plan until April 23.
In a statement Parks Victoria said "time was running out to save the Alpine National Park".
"The window to remove horses, deer and other feral animals is closing," a spokesperson said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"The high numbers of feral horses in the Alpine area continue to cause damage to the unique Australian alps.
"Increased knowledge and experience are allowing us to build the best approach to managing feral horse populations and reduce the threats they bring to our special high country native wildlife and habitats."
Parks Victoria said a number of legal challenges, limited interest in rehoming horses and worsening environmental conditions, including an increase in horse numbers and the recent bushfires, have "limited the planned outcomes" of the 2018-21 Feral Horse Strategic Action Plan, due to finish in June 2021.
"We have revised our management practices, bringing in additional methods to help reduce feral horse numbers while aiming to maximize the numbers captured and rehomed," the spokesperson said.
- Have your say at engage.vic.gov.au