❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the impact of feral horses and donkeys on the Kimberley environment and the Department of Environment and Conservation's management plans. The response details the environmental damage caused by these animals and outlines control programs, particularly for donkeys.
AnsweredQoN 3615Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the impact of feral horses and donkeys on the Kimberley environment, and I ask -
(1) What is the impact on Kimberley ecosystems of feral horses and donkeys?
(2) Are any native plants being impacted in the Kimberley partly or wholly due to the impact of feral horses and/or donkeys (please provide full details)?
(3) Does the Department of Environment and Conservation have a current plan to manage the population of feral horses and donkeys?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), -
(a) does the management plan accord with the Model Code of Practice for the Humane Control of Feral Horses; and
(b) will you please table a copy of the management plan?
(1) What is the impact on Kimberley ecosystems of feral horses and donkeys?
(2) Are any native plants being impacted in the Kimberley partly or wholly due to the impact of feral horses and/or donkeys (please provide full details)?
(3) Does the Department of Environment and Conservation have a current plan to manage the population of feral horses and donkeys?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), -
(a) does the management plan accord with the Model Code of Practice for the Humane Control of Feral Horses; and
(b) will you please table a copy of the management plan?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
(1-2) Hard-hoofed animals can lead to serious environmental degradation when they are in high numbers or in particularly fragile ecosystems such as riparian vegetation. Trampling and overgrazing can lead to erosion, a reduction of native vegetation, increases in weed density and the loss of wildlife.
While the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is not aware of any native plant species being impacted only by feral horses and/or donkeys, impacts can be readily observed along watercourses and more broadly across the landscape.
(3) DEC is responsible for the management of conservation lands and for feral animal control on unallocated Crown land.
DEC has contributed funding to the successful north Kimberley donkey control program undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food. It is believed that Prince Regent Nature Reserve and the Mitchell Plateau are now largely donkey free. Over 4,000 animals have been removed from Drysdale River National Park since 2002 and it is believed that eradication may be possible within the next three to four years.
Very few feral horses have been recorded on either conservation lands or unallocated Crown land in the Kimberley and DEC has no active management program for horses.
Feral animal control in the north Kimberley will be improved through the Government's allocation of $10 million over four years for better on-ground management of fire, feral animals and weeds that was announced on 22 October 2010 as part of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.
(4) Not applicable
(5a-b) The planning and operations of the north Kimberley donkey control program have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The question should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
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While the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is not aware of any native plant species being impacted only by feral horses and/or donkeys, impacts can be readily observed along watercourses and more broadly across the landscape.
(3) DEC is responsible for the management of conservation lands and for feral animal control on unallocated Crown land.
DEC has contributed funding to the successful north Kimberley donkey control program undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food. It is believed that Prince Regent Nature Reserve and the Mitchell Plateau are now largely donkey free. Over 4,000 animals have been removed from Drysdale River National Park since 2002 and it is believed that eradication may be possible within the next three to four years.
Very few feral horses have been recorded on either conservation lands or unallocated Crown land in the Kimberley and DEC has no active management program for horses.
Feral animal control in the north Kimberley will be improved through the Government's allocation of $10 million over four years for better on-ground management of fire, feral animals and weeds that was announced on 22 October 2010 as part of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.
(4) Not applicable
(5a-b) The planning and operations of the north Kimberley donkey control program have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The question should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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