❓ Question regarding the timing of a feral horse cull in the Kimberley, specifically whether the Kimberley Land Council's advice on foaling season was considered. The Minister's answer indicates consultation occurred and the cull was endorsed, but veterinary advice suggested no distinct foaling season.
AnsweredQoN 1662Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the letter dated 21 August 2013 from the Kimberly Land Council to the Minister concerning the cull of horses in the Kimberley, which states that the feral horse foaling season starts in October/November and that any action must be taken prior, otherwise it will have to wait another 12 months. In relation to this I ask: (a) did the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Lands Trust consult with the Kimberley Land Council about the timing of the cull following the receipt of this letter; (b) if yes to (a), what was the outcome of these consultations; (c) if no to (a), why wasn’t the Kimberley Land Council’s advice on culling taken into consideration; and (d) whose decision was it to commence the cull on 31 October 2013, right at the beginning of the feral horse foaling season?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2014
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
29 days
(a) Yes.
(b) The Kimberley Land Council, as representatives of the Native Title holders advised the Aboriginal Lands Trust of its endorsement of the cull.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) In order to protect the local environment, comply with legal obligations and to mitigate animal welfare and public health issues, the Aboriginal Lands Trust instructed the Department of Agriculture and Food WA to conduct a cull.
It should be noted that Department of Agriculture and Food WA conducted an initial reconnaissance flight to assess general distribution of feral horses and to identify family groups with new born foals. Department of Agriculture and Food WA was requested to not cull mares with foals at foot. There were two suitably qualified and experienced veterinarians on site whom were engaged to undertake animal welfare audits for the Lake Gregory control operation. The veterinarians were previously engaged to observe the Tempe Down operation in the Northern Territory during 2013.
Department of Agriculture and Food WA had received veterinary advice (Kununurra and Murdoch University) which advised that in Lake Gregory and Billiluna, horses are not likely to have a distinct foaling season due to day length factors. Advice received suggested that the foaling period would be most influenced by preceding seasonal conditions, which are variable. But there is no distinct seasonal pattern.
During the first day of the operation, there were early sightings of horses perishing under natural causes. 14 dead horses were found bogged in mud, six of these were foals.
(b) The Kimberley Land Council, as representatives of the Native Title holders advised the Aboriginal Lands Trust of its endorsement of the cull.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) In order to protect the local environment, comply with legal obligations and to mitigate animal welfare and public health issues, the Aboriginal Lands Trust instructed the Department of Agriculture and Food WA to conduct a cull.
It should be noted that Department of Agriculture and Food WA conducted an initial reconnaissance flight to assess general distribution of feral horses and to identify family groups with new born foals. Department of Agriculture and Food WA was requested to not cull mares with foals at foot. There were two suitably qualified and experienced veterinarians on site whom were engaged to undertake animal welfare audits for the Lake Gregory control operation. The veterinarians were previously engaged to observe the Tempe Down operation in the Northern Territory during 2013.
Department of Agriculture and Food WA had received veterinary advice (Kununurra and Murdoch University) which advised that in Lake Gregory and Billiluna, horses are not likely to have a distinct foaling season due to day length factors. Advice received suggested that the foaling period would be most influenced by preceding seasonal conditions, which are variable. But there is no distinct seasonal pattern.
During the first day of the operation, there were early sightings of horses perishing under natural causes. 14 dead horses were found bogged in mud, six of these were foals.
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