While grey nomads are well aware that there is potential for dangerous encounters with wild animals while camping in the bush, horses don’t normally feature high on most traveller’s scary creatures list.
However, a spate of nasty interactions between tourists and feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park has prompted the New South Wales Government to consider closing a popular camping ground.
According to an ABC report, a National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) risk assessment concluded it likely that a wild horse would cause an injury that needed medical attention or hospitalisation and it was also possible such an incident could be fatal.
The risk assessment was prompted by an increase in reports of horses causing havoc at the Blue Waterholes camping grounds.
In December, a 16-year-old boy was treated for shock and taken to hospital when he was struck in the shoulder by a feral horse as a mob galloped through a camping ground at the north side of the park. And the ABC reports that, in the same month, a family cut short their Kosciuszko holiday after their 10-year-old boy was kicked in the shoulder by a horse.
In its risk assessment, the NPWS noted the number of wild horses was increasing with more than 250 brumbies spotted within five kilometres of the Blue Waterholes camping area in September — compared with 124 in 2010.
“Consideration has been given to a range of ‘treatments’ for managing the risk, including the closure of the campground,” the risk assessment said.
But the ABC reports that an immediate closure of the area was not recommended, given that “closure of the campground during the busy school holiday period would be very contentious”.
The Office of Environment and Heritage told the ABC that park staff remained vigilant to the risk and the situation was being monitored on an ongoing basis, and there was increased signage for visitors and increased staff patrols.
However, Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox, called the response inadequate and said it failed to take visitor safety seriously.
“If there’s a high chance of a serious injury, then the park service should be acting, they shouldn’t just simply be putting up signs,” Mr Cox told the ABC.
The council has been calling on the NSW Government to end a moratorium on culling wild horses in the park.
“Visitor safety should come first,” said MR Cox. “But in this case it looks like government is protecting horses rather than visitors to the park.”
* Have you ever had a frightening encounter with a feral animal? Comment below.
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Have they ever heard of wild dogs in NPs ,
Common sense is what is required, why close the camp ground down?any visitors are in the horses domain, just be careful.
We are actually going up there shortly to be amongst these great creatures who are just minding their own business, this is their home! we are the intruders and camping should not be given right of way, respect the horse they don’t come after you, just keep your distance, most ridiculous piece l have seen this week from this mob who want to kill them
Just another ferral pest out of control. Cull the horses, pigs, donkeys, camels, goats, rabits, foxes etc etc. They are not native species and they cause environmental damage.
Where do you rate humans Neil, what animal shits in its water ways, what animal doesn’t clean up after itself, have you any idea the process of culling horses? let me enlighten you,,, they are shot from a helicopter, the carcass is left to rot, or become a smorgasbord for every other animal.
Yes. If not native it has to be controlled or eradicated.
Horses cause much damage to our native vegetation and spread a lot of weed.
Horses owned and fenced by people are beautiful animals. Wild horses are simply a feral animal.
Absolutely abhorrent article that is fact less and just downright scaremongering. If you are at all interested you will please note that horses by nature are shy and will run from any type of confrontation they are a prey animal.
* Have you ever had a frightening encounter with a feral animal?
Was introduced to a Politician once – now that was frightening.
They should be put down…Politicians not Horses.
They are not just a danger to humans.. consider how many native plant and animal species have been severely impacted. Time for removal of brumbies from our national parks
Brumbies were there long before it became a national park, or canberra’s water supply!
Pigs and do far more damage that the horses that have been there hundreds of years without any significant damage to the park! I have seen first hand much more damage from humans!
Lida is absolutely wrong. A stallion will protect his mares with avengence. Ive had a stallion run down a valley and up the other side into to my camp rearing up flaring his nostrils and striking…awesome sight..enough to put the wind up someone who hasn’t handled and broke in horses.
Let’s close all parks because they all contain “something” dangerous to “some” people, be it a plant, an animal, darkness or just themselves.
Surely, commonsense will start to prevail before our generation ends otherwise there’ll be nothing for our next crop. Other than wrapp ’em in cottonwool and don’t dare let them move from in front of that screen.
Have they closed Fraser Is because of the dingoes? These are wild feral animals and naturally timid. I was in Kosciusko NP last year & couldn’t even get close enough to take a decent pic on my phone. As soon as they sense you they’re off. Don’t know how anyone could be close enough to be injured.
Dianne … They got rid of the wild horses from Frazer Island. Though I don’t think that they ever posed a risk to tourists.
Horses were there long before national park, campgrounds and filthy people who leave feces and rubbish everywhere. Brumbies came about, when original owner was away on ‘government buisness, … “their Max Brumby’s horses…. ” where brumby name came from yrs ago. The man was doing a service to his country. What the people arendoing up there now, far frim service to country. I have been abused by the ferals up there in their caravans with their attitudes of ‘owning’ campsites and whole areas. Cull or ban them.
Got quite close to a mob of brumbies on the track to the blue water holes and took photos of the brumbies with no problems. They just left when they were ready. Best to just keep your distance and respect their space. Loved seeing the brumbies.