06/06/2026
Our Wildlife is heritage!
Australia's precious alpine eco-systems and biodiversity are under threat from feral horses, but so many Aussies are putting our natives second - why? 🐸
No one is denying that horses are beautiful, they are of the most majestic animals that have had a strong connection with humans for a long time. 🐴
BUT, there is a wealth of scientific evidence proving horses cause catastrophic damage to the extremely fragile alpine environments, home to many endangered native animals including our iconic Corroboree Frogs that have no-where else to live. Australia did not evolve with hard-hoofed animals and horses do not belong in these eco-systems. ❌
As someone who has worked in these environments, there is nothing more frustrating then visiting areas that should be pristine native tussocks or bogs turned into a muddy horse paddock. 😔
In recent years Victoria and the ACT eradicated horses in multiple national parks and ecologists including myself have noted the slow recovery of eco-systems and threatened species - especially in Barmah National Park and the Bogong High Plains. 📈
Our alpine adapted animals have evolved and existed for 3-5 million years, compared to the short history of horses on the same land. We know that other feral animals including deer, pigs, goats, rabbits, foxes and cats also do damage to our native animals - but most of those have management strategies in place and none of them do more damage than horses in these particular environments.
Some of these native species are running out of time and NSW continues to delay on the decision to remove horses properly from our national parks.
Come on Australia, it is a tough ask, but we must support the removal of horses in our alpine wilderness to help protect our natives who are already under immense pressure. 👊
