<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/08/feral-horses-an-imminent-threat-that-could-cause-extinction-of-several-endangered-australian-species-inquiry-warned>
"Feral horses in the Australian alps pose an imminent threat to the Albanese
government’s zero extinctions target, a scientific committee that advises the
government on endangered species has told a parliamentary inquiry.
The threatened species scientific committee (TSSC) says feral horses “may be
the crucial factor that causes final extinction” of six critically endangered
animals and at least two critically endangered plants.
The warning is contained in a submission to a Senate inquiry examining the
damage feral horses are causing to sensitive alpine ecosystems.
“Feral horses in the alps therefore pose an imminent threat to the threatened
species action plan’s objective to prevent new extinctions of plants and
animals,” a single sentence written in bold states.
The Albanese government announced a target last year of zero new extinctions as
part of a revamped threatened species strategy to address the decline of
Australia’s environment.
Feral horses are a major threat in the alpine wilderness of New South Wales,
Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, including in the Kosciuszko
national park.
They threaten native plants and animals by grazing, trampling vegetation and
habitat and damaging waterways."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
