THE 66,000ha Barmah state forest is home to a couple of hundred brumbies, wild horses that have roamed free since they were retired and set free, predominantly on the conclusion of the First World War and on the dawn of mechanisation.
In recent times, Parks Victoria have taken issue over environmental concerns in concert with further concerns of the Traditional Owners who regard them as feral animals.
For the past eight years, the Barmah Brumby Preservation Group have been campaigning to preserve the herd ahead of plans to exterminate them by Parks Victoria.
It only this last week the group have obtained permission to rehouse up to 90 horses on a 45ha property they are leasing that adjoins the park.
Beginning as a Facebook page now with over 11,000 members, they have raised over $90,000 to bring the leased property to a suitable standard to house the horses.
The group also have access to another 70ha property on which they intend to sow to pasture that can be harvested to feed the animals.
Weekend volunteers join with the group to help construct the fencing and such that is required to be maintained before the horses can be repatriated.
Notwithstanding, Parks Victoria still have plans to eradicate up to 100 horses each year.
Julie Pridmore speaking on behalf of the group said, “There are only a couple of hundred horses in the park so if they do this, it won’t be too long before they are all gone.”
For anyone interested in getting involved they can contact the group through Facebook.
BARMAH BRUMBIES GET A REPRIEVE… (Inset) Noel Wiltshire and volunteers from the Barmah Brumby Preservation Group work on fencing. Photos: David Lee
