Kosciuszko National Park in Australia’s Snowy Mountains has seen a significant reduction in its feral horse population, dropping from about 17,000 to 3,000 in roughly a year due to aerial culls and new management laws. This decline has allowed native vegetation to recover, stream banks to stabilize, and fewer horses to block alpine roads, benefiting the park’s delicate ecosystems and water catchments. The feral horses, once protected under the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act due to their cultural significance, are now managed as invasive species because of their damaging impact on wetlands, peat bogs, and native wildlife habitats.

The environmental damage caused by feral horses includes overgrazing and soil compaction, which disrupts water retention in peatlands and harms species reliant on intact vegetation and clean water. Although early signs of ecological recovery are promising, full restoration will take decades due to the slow growth of alpine plants and the long-lasting effects of past disturbances. The park’s recovery efforts highlight the challenge of balancing cultural values with ecosystem health and water security, as the Australian Alps provide critical water resources for a large portion of the country.