Distressing photographs have emerged of injured and deceased horses from an aerial cull of around 7,000 wild horses in Western Australia’s Kimberley.
Those who have been following the story of the wild horses of Lake Gregory and surrounds over the last few years will know that there have been repeated calls for culls, and also a previous plan to transport horses long distances to slaughter which did not go ahead. It seems that despite attempts to establish more humane management of the horses, a recent count found six thousand horses and a decision was made for aerial culling to be carried out.
Photo: Wild Horses Kimberley 2010
Estimates of over 7,000 horse deaths from the cull are being reported, and Wild Horses Kimberley have released images of injured and deceased horses which have raised serious concerns. Supporters of aerial culling insist that the horses are killed quickly and humanely, however Wild Horses Kimberley’s photographs, including one of a horse standing with what appears to be blood down his/her shoulder, call this into question.
You can view some of these distressing images on the Wild Horses Kimberley website **Graphic content warning ** Distressing images from wild horse cull at this link from Wild Horses Kimberley **Graphic content warning **
A vet supervising the cull admitted that of the 452 out of 7,000 horses he examined, approximately 1% were still alive after being shot.
Media Coverage:
- *Graphic content warning * “Opponents of wild horse cull in the Kimberley say some have been left to die slowly” ~ ABC News online (image of deceased horse)
- “Horses left to rot after Kimberley aerial cull” ~ The West Australian
- *Graphic content warning* “No consultation claim over horse kill” ~ The West Australian (images of “Horses at Balgo that died in the mud last year”)
- “An aerial cull of wild horses is taking place in the Kimberley” ~ ABC News Online
- *Graphic content warning* “Feral horse cull commences in the central Kimberley” includes audio interview. *Graphic content, including image of dead horses from NT & discussion of aerial culling in audio* ~ ABC Rural
Letters to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs:
- Wild Horses Kimberley have uploaded a letter to their website from Animals Australia’s Executive Director Glenys Oogjes regarding the cull. You can read it at this link (PDF file)
- They have also uploaded a letter from traditional owners at Bililuna (Lake Gergory) stating that they did not want a cull to go ahead but rather to implement other management. You can read it at this link (PDF file)
Photo: Libby Lovegrove
RSPCA Media Release:
- “RSPCA insists on feral horse management plan” to ensure that this cull is a one-off situation ~ RSPCA Western Australia website
Want to take action?
- Join the Wild Horses Kimberley Facebook Group *Graphic content warning for FB group*
- From the Wild Horses Kimberley site: “Write to The West Australian newspaper if you can and send an email to Minister.Collier@dpc.wa.gov.au let people know what you think.”
- West Australian Newspaper:Letters to the Editor
GPO Box N1027
Perth WA 6843
Fax: 9482 3177
Email: letters@wanews.com.au (Please include full address and telephone number.)
For previous AHWRN posts from the last few years about the wild horses of Lake Gregory and surrounds, click here.
