Brumby cull on hold after advocate launches last minute court action
Aerial culls in a northern NSW national park stall following an injunction from an anti-brumby culling advocate.
A suspension of the brumby cull in northern New South Wales (NSW) has been put on hold for two weeks following a legal action from a brumby advocate. The injunction was filed on Monday at 1am, with the matter taking precedence to be heard on September 9. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) had planned to conduct an aerial cull of feral horses, pigs, foxes, and deer, as well as trapping operations in Yuraygir National Park near Coffs Harbour. However, these operations have been postponed pending the court proceedings.
Animal welfare advocate Carmen Jackson filed the urgent injunction claiming the culls are unlawful. She expressed concern over the department's statutory authority to perform the culls and emphasized her stance that brumbies, introduced species, are sentient beings on their ancestral land. The debate surrounding brumby culls has sparked renewed discussions on their ecological impact.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water responded to the injunction, suspending trappings and all operations until the scheduled hearing date. Chief legal officer Nicholas Sandstrom acknowledged the proceedings and cooperated with the court's directions. NPWS spokespersons confirmed the suspension of aerial, ground shooting, and trapping operations in the National Park and State Conservation Area.
Animal welfare experts, such as Professor David Watson from Charles Sturt University, argue that brumbies significantly harm the environment and compete with native animals for resources. Despite the advocate's concerns, the court proceedings have temporarily halted the cull operations.
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