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Feral horse numbers surge in Kosciuszko national park after pause in aerial culling, survey shows

A new survey reveals feral horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park surged significantly in late 2025, jumping from an estimated 2,131-5,639 to 6,476-16,411 following the New South Wales government's pause on aerial culling that year. Conservationists and NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe are calling for revised strategies—including resuming culls in June, trialing reproductive control, and rethinking retention zones—to meet the 2027 target of reducing numbers to 3,000 and protect the park's fragile alpine ecosystem.