Scientific committee calls for ‘urgent action’ from the Albanese government to address damage caused to sensitive alpine ecosystems

Feral horses in the Australian alps pose an imminent threat to the Albanese government’s zero extinctions target, a scientific committee that advises the government on endangered species has told a parliamentary inquiry.

The threatened species scientific committee (TSSC) says feral horses “may be the crucial factor that causes final extinction” of six critically endangered animals and at least two critically endangered plants.

The warning is contained in a submission to a Senate inquiry examining the damage feral horses are causing to sensitive alpine ecosystems.

They threaten native plants and animals by grazing, trampling vegetation and habitat and damaging waterways.

The affected species include the critically endangered stocky galaxias, a fish that has an extremely restricted distribution due to the impacts of invasive trout. The submission notes the species is now restricted to a single small section of the headwaters of Tantangara Creek – an area where horses are abundant.

Three other types of critically endangered galaxias and the critically endangered southern and northern Corroboree frogs are also at risk.

Another species, the broad-toothed rat, which is listed as vulnerable, is being considered for an upgraded conservation status of endangered partly due to the effect of feral horses.

Surveys by state governments show feral horse numbers are increasing. The previous New South Wales government failed to meet a commitment to reduce horse numbers.