Brett,who declined to give his surname,told 2GB host Ray Hadley in September that the agency conducted aerial shooting of deer on his property in the Kosciuszko National Park near where two guests were walking. The issue was fuelled when Hadley interviewed One Nation leader Mark Latham and NSW Environment Minister James Griffin about the matter.
That day,NPWS suspended the shooting of feral animals in national parks while undertaking a review that has taken almost six weeks to complete. The results of the review will be released shortly,a spokesperson for the agency said.
NSW Farmers conservation and resource management committee member Reg Kidd said wild dogs and pigs did enormous damage to land and animals every year.
“We were flabbergasted to learn the government had put a stop to controlling feral animals in national parks,” he said. “Feral animal control is something all land managers – public and private – must do. Putting a stop to feral animal control is irresponsible as it will impact the public,nature and private landowners such as farmers.”
“All this ban does is give them safe haven to breed. It’s crazy. If the government is smart,it will resume feral animal control immediately.”
The spokesperson for NPWS said feral animal shooting operations were expected to recommence within the week with stronger safety protocols.
“The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service does more aerial shooting than any other land manager and is leading the way in controlling feral animals across the state,” they said. “After an allegation in relation to an incident involving the aerial shooting of deer,a review is being conducted to ensure the NPWS feral animal control program is carried out with the highest safety standards.”