Press Release
AERIAL SLAUGHTER

Bullets are again raining down from summer skies in Carnarvon, the timing could not be worse, little foals born this year will stagger and fall, trying to keep up with the terrified mobs. If they survive the shoot they face slow starvation without their dams.
Is this a third world country ?? no, it’s Australia in the 21st century.

Despite what EPA say regarding animal welfare we have photographic evidence to show that such protocols are not always followed. (See photos below) After the last slaughter in Carnarvon we obtained a copy of an autopsy report; some 21 carcasses were inspected by Government vets from thousands of carcasses left to rot on the ground in Carnarvon. An average of four bullets to kill each horse, ages ranging from foals, yearlings and adult horses.

The cost to Queensland tax payers was in excess of $250.000 for helicopters, snipers and
20.000 rounds of bullets.

Our web site has published a statement issued by RSPCA regarding aerial slaughter. (See below). Last year, RSPCA refused to condone further shoots calling for the EPA to investigate alternative control methods, to include fertility control and passive trapping and removal. It has been stated in RSPCA’s Code of Practice that it is not possible to kill animals humanely from a moving platform such as a helicopter.

In correspondence with EPA we have been informed that Expressions of Interest were issued to remove horses and cattle from Carnarvon. The response was negative. Of course it was; the public just don’t have thousands of dollars to outlay for trap yards, trucks and personnel to conduct such programs. Until Queensland Government is prepared to make a genuine and sincere commitment to outlawing aerial slaughter, form a Government Steering Committee of experienced personnel and work through this issue once and for all the massacres continue. Yet EPA can find money to aerial shoot and pay for snipers and bullets at tax payers’ expense. We ask, why cannot such money be redirected into alternative management plans ??

We have received emails from horse interest groups in Northern Queensland willing to remove horses on an annual basis. But some funding is needed. Such interests have people waiting to retrain these Heritage Brumby horses for stock work and equestrian pursuits and we have been informed that there is a real need for tough and sturdy horses in this part of the country. However it would seem that bullets are still the quick and easy fix and no real attempt to investigate alternative management plans would appear to have been made since the last slaughter. Fertility control could be trialled in isolated groups of 200 plus horses in several areas of Qld. Ongoing management in this method of control is well advanced in the USA and other countries.

We ask, when is Australia going to stop the blood and bullets, sit down round the table and look to the future. And provide some funding and assistance for the public to take on these superb Heritage Brumbies. Aerial slaughter of our Icon, the Heritage Brumby, is AUSTRALIA’S SHAME and with our extensive land and resources there is no excuse or justification for such actions.

In 1972 an Act of Congress was passed by the US Government proclaiming the Heritage and History of the American Mustang wild horse and his value to the American people. Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages over 60.000 horses on an annual basis and runs Government adoption programs for such horses.
All financed by the US Government. Why cannot such programs be introduced in Australia ?? Why ?? simply because those in power refuse to take animal welfare seriously and prefer the easy, outdated way out, blood and bullets.

In NSW aerial slaughter is banned, wild Heritage Brumbies in NSW National Parks are passively trapped and handed over to rehoming groups or contractors for removal.
This outcome has been achieved after many years of negotiating with State Government and although still far from ideal such programs pave the way to sustainable management.

We were initially told that such a task was impossible, the terrain was inaccessible, the horses were diseased, feral, not worth the effort. In Guy Fawkes River National Park, the scene of the aerial slaughter that made world headlines in 2000, we have proved Government wrong on every count. The Management Plan for wild horses in Guy Fawkes in which we had a large input is now a model for other national parks to follow.

Queenslanders, realise what is happening in your own State and help stop the cruelty inflicted on horses that have served us in war and peace, introduced by us and now, subjected to a cruel death in the name of conservation.

Save the Brumbies Inc. again urgently calls on the Queensland Government to ban aerial slaughter immediately, instigate a Steering Committee and redirect monies allocated to aerial slaughter into more positive outcomes.
Posted March 2010

RSPCA QLD. STATEMENT
MICHAEL BEATTY
PUBLICITY OFFICER

There is no way that the RSPCA actively supports the killing of any animal. It’s a sad fact of life that for many of our staff humane euthanasia of domestic animals and wildlife has become part of their daily existence. Human irresponsibility, neglect and occasionally blatant cruelty are the main causes of this senseless waste of life.

Unfortunately in the case of the feral horses in Carnarvon, the numbers have irresponsibly been allowed to build up so that there is now a major problem, not only to native wildlife and flora but also a potential welfare problem to the horses themselves. In fact many horses are starving. The numbers should never have been allowed to escalate to this level, particularly in a National park. Yes fertility drugs (PZP) have been used to control feral animal numbers overseas and we have been urging State and Federal Governments to investigate these alternatives and implement programs sooner rather than later. Otherwise it goes without saying that culls will become “necessary” in other National Parks. We have explained to the EPA that we need a firm commitment from them to actively investigate the use of PZP here before we sanction any further culls. We do accept that sadly there will need to be a further reduction in numbers in Carnarvon before PZP can effectively control the future population.

The horrendous debacle in Guy Fawkes River National Park in NSW was quite rightly a major animal welfare issue. Many of the animals were left to die in agony and these images lived with many animal lovers for a long, long time. I can assure you that RSPCA Qld would never have supported an aerial cull, (albeit reluctantly), to go ahead if there was any likelihood of this carnage being repeated. In Carnarvon a backup helicopter was added in an effort to ensure there were no suffering animals left behind. A combination of inhospitable terrain, the severe stress put on the animals by ground mustering in this terrain and the health of the animals concerned were all taken into account before the decision was made to proceed. Again I must stress that we reluctantly accept the action was necessary and the cull was carried out as humanely as possible.

We will not “support” any further culls until the State Government has agreed to trial immuno- contraception (PZP) or bring in an expert on its use from the United States to advise on its use in Carnarvon and other National Parks.

Warning These photographs may cause distress; we show them to expose the shocking brutality of aerial slaughter and the distress and prolonged suffering it inflicts on living creatures.

Horse shot in rump and belly, left to bleed to death.

Foal, soaked in sweat from stress and terror stands beside his slaughtered Mum, this baby will die a slow, lingering death.

Please email: www.pm.gov.au and voice your concerns directly to the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

Brumbies - They Deserve Better

 http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2010/02/02/brumbies-come-to-coast/

But need help to maintain the level of care. So far the foals are learning to be haltered and lead, and they are hopeful of finding permanent homes in the future. They are tough little foals that have had to survive the harshness of Central Australia and even at their young ages are battle scarred from the environment they have lived in.

If you can help support these babies or, better still, offer one of them a permanent home Contact Angie or Luke on info@kingscreekstation.com.au

click to enlarge

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2009/10/30/dont-shoot/

or go the ABA website and click on the latest news

With skill, humour and heart, Carlos led eleven horses and their handlers (including 7 brumbies) as well as “fence sitters” on a wonderful journey of horsemanship learning.  To see a video of the  NBN Channel 9 news coverage click on the link below !

 http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2009/10/25/brumbies-get-expert-tuition/

For those who missed out this year, Carlos would love to come back next year !  To visit Carlos’ website go to:   http://www.whisperingacres.com.au/

Circle training - Click to Enlarge

Click to enlarge

The importance of socialisation through riding - click to enlarge

The Australian Brumby Alliance (Inc) has today been appalled to hear of the recent apparent recreational slaughter of brumbies at Mcphersons Plains, situated on the Eastern side of Tumbarumba in NSW.

The area is surrounded by the Kosciuszco National Park as well as State Forest and heavily forested private land. Brumbies in this region originate for the most part from populations within the Park and migrate throughout the region, being a major tourist attraction to the area in the process.

In early 2009, the Victorian Brumby Association Inc. (a member of the ABA), was contacted by a local resident who was distressed that brumbies were being regularly shot in the area. This person had found more than thirty Brumbies who had died as a result of gun shots wounds in the preceding three months. Many of these brumbies had died from neck, gut and leg shots. Evidence showed one mare had foaled whilst she was dying. Visitors riding in the area have more recently have also come across bodies, as well as a foal with a broken leg who was still alive and had to be euthanased.

Local Police now want public help over the inhumane killing of these brumbies. Senior Constable Geoffrey McKenzie from Tumbarumba police says that about thirty-five horses have been shot dead over the last year, but there could be more unreported cases. Most have died in the Bago and Maragle state forests near Tumbarumba.

He says police do not know who is responsible, but they do not believe licensed shooters are involved. “It appears it’s not a programmed thing, someone’s not going out there and doing it systematically,” he said. “We’ve had people ringing the police station very upset and even for us going out there it’s not a nice thing to see.”

The Australian Brumby Alliance is concerned that not enough has been done to find the individual responsible. Rumour has it that the person has even advertised in a local paper for other shooters to join him. The Victorian Brumby Association has contacted the RSPCA, local Park Rangers and the Police and an investigation is now being carried out. Local radio has also reported on the situation.

Although the Australian Brumby Alliance understands that humanely organised culls sometimes have to be carried out in certain wild horse populations throughout Australia, it in no way condones the indiscriminate and inhumane slaughter of brumbies for sport, particularly not those which serve as a tourist attraction in a National Park. The Alliance group members will be keeping a close eye on the investigation and trust that the outcome will be a positive one for the brumbies.

If anyone has any information relating to these shootings, please contact the Tumbarumba Police.

Press release courtesy of the Australian Brumby Alliance Inc.

To see more of Lyn’s work go to: Lyn Beaumont

Australia seems intent on inflicting a cruel fate on its horse heritage. Once again horses are being violently shot from helicopters at Frazier Downs in Western Australia, despite the willingness and efforts of wild horse rescue groups such as the Outback Heritage Association of WA.

“Save the Brumbies has received photos depicting horrific images of horses riddled with bullets” says Jan Carter, President of Save the Brumbies Inc, an animal welfare charity based in New South Wales. “Save the Brumbies applauds the work of the Outback Heritage Horse Association of WA who, despite desperately limited resources, save many horses from being shot or going to the doggers.”

According to reports, a young orphaned colt alerted members of the local Aboriginal community that manage Frazier downs when he wandered in to town. Christened “Jimminy”, he is now being cared for by a member to the OHHAWA.
Sadly little Jimminy died from infection, result of stress and lack of essential nutritents from his mother who was slaughtered.

Over 2 days 672 horses were shot in an aerial cull that has distressed many of the local community. It is understood that that RSPCA will be investigating the matter.

The Frazier Downs travesty highlights the need for governments to find better, longer term and more humane management plans for wild horses. Aerial culling of horses is banned in New South Wales, and in two NSW National Parks, the Guy Fawkes River and the Oxley Rivers parks, horses are passively trapped and given a second chance by groups such as Save the Brumbies who care for the removed horses and adopt them out to the public.

“And we can even do better” says Jan Carter. “We want to start using the fertility control vaccine PZP on our own New England Brumby Sanctuary and gain direct experience in what I believe is the future for wildlife management”

Save the Brumbies calls for all state and federal governments to put an end to outdated and barbaric wild horse management and develop responsible, long term and humane management plans.

Proud parents & Jimminy

Sadly little Jimminy died suddenly of a severe infection caused by his separation at birth from his slaughtered mother which resulted in his lowered immune system. We, and all horse lovers, send our love and support to Jimminy’s adopted Mum and Dad, Libby and Tom Lovegrove who did all that was humanely possible to care for this beautiful baby.

It should not happen, but it does, time and time again we see and hear of this shocking cruelty to our wild horses yet Government say it’s humane, animal welfare protocols are in place and there is no other choice. We dispute this totally, we hold up the Bureau of Land Management programs run by the US Government as a model for our country to follow yet those in power refuse to listen. Keep those letters going to Government, united we can make a difference. Photos of the W.A. slaughter are too horrific to post on this web site as to do so would cause distress to many viewers.