BY KAYNE STEPHENS
The Department this morning confirmed the operation at the Singleton Military Base had been "substantially completed", with over 100 ponies being culled by aerial shooters.
The operation was heavily criticised by animal welfare groups, including the Hunter Valley Brumby Association, who labeled the culling method as "inhumane". But the Invasive Species Council has accused the group of spreading "misinformation" and "hyperbole".
Brumby Association President, Catherine Massey says that the operation was inhumane, and people in the area should keep an eye out for injured wildlife.
"It's been proven time and time again that when aerial culling of horses happens that there are horses left behind which are injured," she said.
The Brumby Association had been a fierce critic of the Defence Force culling, but was unable to prevent the operation from going ahead yesterday afternoon.
Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox says the culling was humane, and accused activists of spreading "misinformation" and "hyperbole" against the operation which he says was the best option for the horses during the season of drought.
"We've got to remember that in Australia we kill millions of livestock every year for human consumption with a quick human death. And there's no reason why we can't apply those same mechanisms to horses," Andrew Cox said.
"The claims about aerial shooting are uninformed. Aerial shooting can be done humanely provided you're using professional shooters," he said.
The Brumby Association is calling on members of the public to keep a lookout for any injured animals which remain in the area.
"We are going to be encouraging people that are around the army base and may be driving past the base, particuarly on Broke Road area to keep a look out for injured brumbies on the base," Catherine Massey said.
"That's what we need now to prove that it was inhumane. It's not a question of a possibility of there being injured horses left behind after the aerial cull, it's a certainty."
Ms. Massey was regretful that the operation had occured, and asked for anybody with photos of injured horses to contact her confidentially.
Despite the criticisms, the Department successfully proceeded with the operation.
Mr. Cox said that, "The do-nothing option here is not in the interests of the horses and the long-term management of the site."
The Department of Defence confirmed the operation had taken place, and said in a statement that, "further verification will take place in the coming days before the matter is considered finalised".
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| Between 100 and 150 wild horses were culled in the Department of Defence operation yesterday afternoon. Image: Shutterstock Mari_May |
