Feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia, have surged from approximately 3,000 in 2024 to an estimated 6,476 to 16,411 in 2025. The lack of aerial culling and favorable breeding conditions have contributed to this rebound, prompting calls for immediate management to protect the fragile alpine ecosystem.

• 01Feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park have rebounded significantly due to a lack of culling and favorable breeding conditions.
• 02The New South Wales Environment Minister, Penny Sharpe, emphasized the need for ongoing management to meet a target of 3,000 horses by mid-2027.
• 03Without intervention, the increasing horse population poses a threat to vulnerable alpine ecosystems, risking erosion and habitat degradation.
• 04Proposed alternatives to culling, such as rehoming and fertility control, face practical limitations and may not be sufficient without concurrent culling efforts.
• 05Successful invasive species management requires long-term commitment and clear targets, as demonstrated by New Zealand's Predator Free 2050 initiative.

The growing feral horse population could lead to significant ecological damage in Kosciuszko National Park, affecting local biodiversity and habitat quality.