The Kosciuszko Science Accord

Field: Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)

We agree that scientific evidence shows that there is a clear and present threat to the natural water catchments and the natural ecosystems of Kosciuszko National Park and other Australian Alps national parks caused directly by thousands of feral horses. Research clearly shows that feral horses in the Alpine National Park (Victoria) and Kosciuszko National Park (New South Wales) have already caused widespread and, in some cases, irreparable damage to wetlands and streams. Evidence demonstrates that feral horses threaten Australia's native alpine plant and animal species and their habitats, some of which are endangered and found nowhere else in the world. The research indicates that, to conserve the natural values of Kosciuszko National Park and other Australian Alps national parks, there is a need to substantially and urgently reduce feral horse populations in these protected areas. We are extremely concerned that the NSW Government has passed legislation giving special protected status to feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park. We call on the NSW Government to: Hugh Allan, Australian Society for Fish Biology; Xavier Anderson, The Australian National University; Dr Jenny Atton National Parks Association (ACT); Tom Bagnet, PSM, OAM 2; Dr Stuart Barrow; Dr Haley Bates, The University of Sydney; Ms Carley-Maree Baum, The Australian National University; Anthony Baxter; Dr Nicholas Beeton, CSIRO; Dr John Benson; John Blay; Cynthia Breheny, Canberra Bushwalking Club; John Brickhill, National Parks Association (ACT); Cynthia Burton, National Parks Association (ACT); Lorraine B. Cairnes, Dorothy Cameron, National Parks Association (ACT); Dr Cat Campbell, Institute of Applied Ecology; Rebecca Cherubin, Deakin University; Nick Clemann; Dr A.B. Costin; Andrew Cox, Invasive Species Council; Dr Peter Crabb,, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University; Ruth Crabb; Isobel Crawford, Australian Botanical Surveys; Professor Saul Cunningham, The Australian National University; Anne Dickson, President; National Parks Association of NSW; Michael Doherty, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University; Elizabeth Dovey, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University; Stephen Dovey; Professor Don Driscoll, Deakin University; Ian M. Dunn, Friends of Currango; Trevor Evans, Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia; Bob Friederich; Bruce Gall; Emeritus Professor Esther M. Gallant, John Curtin School, The Australian National University; Sonja Geange, The Australian National University; Casey Gibson, University of New South Wales; Alix Goodwin, National Parks Association, NSW; Dr Kelli Gowland, The Australian National University; Dr Ken Green, The Australian National University; Rod Griffith, Conservation Council, ACT Region; Paul Hardey; Nicole Hansen; Alistair Henchman; Lesley Hodges; David Hogg; Professor Geoffrey Hope, The Australian National University; Alastair Howard; Clive Hurlstone; Dr Frank Ingmersen; Phill Ingamells, Victorian National Parks Association; Dr Bidda Jones, University of Sydney; Dr Ben Kefford, University of Canberra; Roger Lembit, Gingra Ecological Services; Sonja Lenz,National Parks Association, ACT; Associate Professor Mark Lintermans, Institute of Applied Ecology, University of Canberra; Trish MacDonald; Dr Brendan Mackey; Dr Ian Mansergh, Adjunct Professor, Latrobe University; Kevin McCue, National Parks Association, ACT; Margaret F. McKane, Canberra Bushwalking Club; H. Ross McKinney; Frank McKone, Canberra Bushwalking Club; Brett McNamara, ACT Parks and Conservation; Dr Leah Moore, University of Canberra; Quentin Moran, National Parks Association (ACT); Keith Muir, The Colong Foundation for Wilderness; Professor Adrienne Nicotra, Research School of Biology, Australian National University; Anna Normyle, The Australian National University; Dr David Paull, University of NSW; Dr Carolyn Pettigrew; Professor Catherine Pickering, School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University; Associate Professor Jamie Pittock, The Australian National University; Ian Pulsford, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University; Anna Reeboldi, The Australian National University; Anne Reeves, National Parks Association, NSW; Christopher Roper, National Parks Association, ACT; Acacia Rose; Peter Rowed; Dr Chloe Sato, The Australian National University; Dr Ben Scheele, The Australian National University; Deidre Shaw, National Parks Association (ACT); Tim Shepherd, Deirdre Slattery; Brian Slee; Annette Smith; Andy Spate; Phillip Stewart; Hui Tan, The Australian National University; Dr Richard Thackway, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University; Di Thompson, National Parks Association ACT/NSW; Gary Thompson; Mike Thompson, Nature Net Pty Ltd; Michael Treanor; Sarah Treby, Deakin University; Sumithri Venketasubramanian, The Australian National University; Dr Susanna Venn, Deakin University; Timothy Walsh; Professor David Watson, Charles Sturt University; Karen Watson, The University of Sydney; Professor Richard (Dick) Williams, Charles Darwin University; Ted Woodley, National Parks Association ACT; (Hon) Associate Professor Graeme Worboys, Fenner School, The Australian National University.