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PAGES 18-19
Where Community Matters 93RD EDITION FEBRUARY 2, 2024
AUSSIEICON ATRISKOF EXTINCTION?
REPORTED FIGURES AREN'T ADDING UP AS SNOWY MOUNTAIN BRUMBIES DISAPPEAR FAST
T
HE Australian Brumby is a precious part of Australia’s heritage. They took our soldiers to war, they were used to open the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, they hold pride and place on our money and stamps. These horses helped to build this country. At least 3,000 Wild Heritage Horses are acknowledged as being sustainable and are officially
protected by the 2018 Heritage Brumby Bill. However, there is widespread concern that incorrect numbers are being used on which to base upcoming culling practices. Because, if correct, it may leave remaining numbers well below that figure. “Our Snowy Mountains Brumbies are an important part of our Australian History. Their genes are
a rare mix not found anywhere else in the world,” explains passionate Brumby supporter and activist, Di Hardley who has rescued 16 Brumbies herself. Right now, passionate Brumby supporters from all over Australia have joined forces to facilitate an Independent Scientific Wild Horse Recount in the NSW Snowy Mountains, in a bid to protect and
WHEN THE INDEX HITS 3 COVER UP FROM UV
preserve the future of our Heritage Wild Horses. “Our biggest concern is the discrepancy over the numbers,” says passionate brumby supporter and activist, Di Hardley. “National Parks do a yearly Brumby count using software from the University of St Andrews. Unfortunately, the variant is enormous, with their count
being 12,000 to 22,000 — that’s a difference of 10,000! This figure appears to be highly inflated because that number of horses equates to around 18 horses per square kilometre which, If correct, would mean horses would be visible everywhere and there would be very little grass left.”
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