Conservation group calls for feral horse cull in Western Australia's Lake Muir region

The Invasive Species Council is urging the Western Australian government to cull an "elusive" population of feral horses in the Lake Muir area, a region recognized for its ecological significance. Located about 360km south of Perth, the area faces concerns over road safety due to horses occasionally appearing on the Muir Highway, and environmental damage attributed to the animals.

“

There's a pinch point right now where action needs to be taken to deal with the feral horse population.

Reece Pianta, the council's advocacy director, stated that a "pinch point" has been reached where action is necessary to manage the feral horse population. He highlighted issues such as soil loss, compaction, erosion, trampling of vegetation, and water pollution. Pianta also noted that horses can act as vectors for diseases, posing a threat to the sensitive wetland environment, which is part of the Muir-Byenup wetland system recognized under the Ramsar Convention.

“

The damage is things like soil loss, compaction, causing erosion, trampling vegetation and polluting water bodies in the area.

However, the call for a cull has met with skepticism from some local farmers and community members. Manjimup Shire President Donelle Buegge questioned the reported increase in horse numbers, suggesting social media posts might be creating a false impression. She noted she has not personally seen feral horses on the highway in two decades. Several farmers also indicated that feral pigs present a more immediate problem in the region.

“

In general, horses are a vector for diseases, including tree-killing diseases, and this is a fairly sensitive nature reserve, wetland area which is vulnerable to heavy-hoofed animals.

Gary Muir, a descendant of the area's early settlers, acknowledged the environmental impact of brumbies but contested the Invasive Species Council's claims about their numbers and lineage. He suggested a historical connection to horses in the area dating back to the late 1800s, differing from the council's understanding that the current population descended from a small group released only a few decades ago.

“

What we have been made aware of is that over the last few decades those numbers have increased significantly.