Outrage at horse culling

FOUR feral brumbies considered a danger to motorists have been culled and their carcasses left in clear view of the road, sparking outrage from the public.

The feral horses were seen dead along the Arnhem Highway about 95km west of Jabiru.

They were terminated because they were dangerously close to the road, forming a risk for motorists.

David, who did not want his surname published, and his wife were driving down the Arnhem Highway when they saw the four brumby carcasses left in the trees next to the roadside.

The man expressed his disgust at the sight, saying his wife, who had grown up around horses her whole life, had been deeply saddened by the experience.

“No one wants to sees horses like those left like that in clear view of the highway,” David said.

“My wife has grown up with horses and found the sight very disturbing while another driver who had also stopped at the scene was shaking their head at the sight.

“It’s pathetic. National Parks need to be dragged over the coals for this inhumane gesture. Where is the decency?

“It is traumatising for some to see this lack of respect for not burying or disposing of the carcasses.

“Whatever respect I had for Parks is gone.

“There had to be a more humane way of disposing of the bodies following the culling.”

A Parks Australia spokesman said the four feral horses were culled because they posed a potential significant risk to motorists travelling at high speeds along the highway.

The spokesman also said it was a common practice of parks to humanely cull feral animals that were a potential threat to the public or the native flora and fauna.

“On September 17 Kakadu National Park’s feral animal management team culled four feral horses,” the spokesman said.

“They were dangerously close to the Arnhem Highway roadside and were posing a risk to motorists.

“The feral horses were then moved approximately 30-40m away from the roadside.

“Feral animals are humanely culled in Kakadu National Park to protect the public and to preserve native flora and fauna.

“Feral animals are removed from the roadsides in Kakadu National Park, as they pose a significant threat to motor vehicles travelling at high speed along highways.

“Kakadu National Park staff appreciate the sensitivity of culling feral animals.

“And where possible we make every effort to move deceased animals a safe distance away from the roadside and out of sight from the general public.”

NO ONE WANTS TO SEES HORSES LIKE THOSE LEFT LIKE THAT IN CLEAR VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY

MOTORIST DAVID