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The NSW Government Responds
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PARKS WORKERS SLAUGHTER
AUSTRALIAN BRUMBIES
Part Two
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The Sydney Morning Herald
has reported that the State Government of New South Wales has posted a ban on aerial shooting of wild horses
from helicopters in its parks. However some of the comments quoted by key players in this debacle leaves
the reader with doubts as to the durability of such a ban.
Mr. Robert Debus, Minister of Environment, was quoted as admitting he had bowed to
pressure from outraged callers on talkback radio, and now rejected expert
advice that aerial shooting was the most humane way to control introduced animals.
Aerial shooting is the most humane way to control introduced animals?
Where did they get this expert? Apparently from the University of Sydney.
The Herald reported that the apparent "expert," a Dr Anthony English who
is listed as the Course Coordinator for Cattle Health and Production
for the University of Sydney's Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences,
found that the Guy Fawkes River cull was "appropriate" but the RSPCA and local land owners should have been involved.
Dr. English's views and conclusions are in sharp contradiction with the views and
position of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) who went on record as stating categorically
that the Guy Fawkes River Park was not suitable for helicopter culling. Furthermore
the RSPCA has filed suit against the government over this incident. RSPCA guidelines
for culling animals through euthanasia specifies that the method used provides:
- death without panic, pain or distress
- instant death or unconsciousness
- reliability for both single or large numbers
- simplicity and minimal maintenance
- minimal environmental impact
- minimal emotional impact on operators or observers.
It seems apparent from Mr. Sempf's report that least four of these critera
were aggregiously ignored.
Dr. English's Faculty Profile at the University of Sydney, which also displays his email
address should you wish to express yourself, can be brought up by clicking
HERE.
In disagreement with the ban on aerial shooting, the Opposition environment
spokeswoman, Ms Peta Seaton, was quoted as saying, "This is policy by media." MP Seaton
is apparently oblivious to the official policies in effect in her country for eliminating excess
animals through lethal means. (I have added MP Seaton's email address to the "Collective" mail
link that appears in Part 1 of this feature.)
I usually try to avoid editorializing but Aussie politicians and government officials seem to
have a different set of values than most of the rest of the civilized world.
In this case they seem to also be rebuked by their own country's veterinary association
and SPCA.
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THE AUSTRAILIAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION SPEAKS OUT
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The Australian Veterinary Association, whom the NSW government
had tried to suggest endorsed the methods that they used in the Guy Fawkes cull, has issued its own
media release which is reproduced below.
AVA appalled by brutal slaughter of 600 horses
and NPWS misrepresentations
The Australian Veterinary Association today accused the NSW Government
of twice publicly misrepresenting AVA policies in an effort to moderate
public reaction to the shooting slaughter of more than 600 horses in a
national park near Dorrigo.
The helicopter cull, supposedly using expert marksmen, was approved by
the National Parks and Wildlife Service and occurred about two weeks ago.
The issue has attracted increasing public criticism in the light of reports that
many of the horses had sustained large numbers of bullet wounds to the
body, legs and even the rump when marksmen are meant to kill humanely
with clean shots to the head.
The AVA Vice-President, Dr Garth McGilvray, said the organisation had a
very detailed written policy outlining the specific circumstances - and types
of terrain - where it accepts that properly controlled helicopter culling of wild
horses may be necessary.
He said: "Firstly, we would like to express our outrage at the apparent lack
of concern by NPWS for the welfare of the many horses which suffered
terribly in this incident.
"Our policy expresses the view that helicopter culling may be the most
humane method of reducing populations - but it emphasises that the AVA
requires that it be done as a last resort by expert marksmen, who are
regularly retrained and tested.
"The Minister for Environment, Mr Bob Debus, and later, his departmental
head, Mr Brian Gilligan, used careful phraseology in media interviews to
imply that the operation had the endorsement of the AVA. Any such
suggestion is absolutely untrue.
"The NPWS did not even approach anybody in an official capacity at the
AVA until the evening of October 30 - about two weeks after the
culling took place - and that belated effort was clearly designed only as an
attempt to moderate criticism of what they did.
"Our policy on helicopter culling of horses applies specifically to open arid
and semi-arid country, where helicopters can easily pursue any injured
animals to ensure they can be put down without undue suffering.
"The very rugged forest terrain in the Guy Fawkes National Park is not
suitable for this because of the obvious difficulty in conducting the operation
in the most humane manner possible.
"Had they consulted the AVA before the cull we would have advised them
of our position.
"The AVA, which represents the majority of veterinarians in Australia, is
incensed that the NPWS and its Minister have sought - retrospectively - to
infer we were directly involved in this cull or that we had somehow
approved it. We did neither", Dr McGilvray said.
Mr. Sempf and others have indicated that they will keep us briefed on this situation and we
will post relevant details as they become known. Please stay tuned.
WHAT IS A BRUMBY?
The University of Oklahoma has a useful information sheet on
BRUMBIES
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There's More!
This is not a BLM operated or BLM sponsored site. It
is run by private wild horse and burro enthusiasts.
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