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The NSW government’s control program also involves ground and aerial baiting and trapping. More than 70,000 pigs, goats, deer, foxes, cats and rabbits have been removed from the state’s national parks in the past two years.

Shooting feral animals is viewed as a crucial pest control measure, but has been hugely controversial for the government, with feral horse supporters opposing the measure in Kosciuszko National Park despite the damage caused.

Advocacy manager for the Invasive Species Council Jack Gough said the wet weather would cause an explosion of feral animal populations, which would wreak havoc on native wildlife and ecosystems without adequate action.

“This ban will also be alarming for farmers concerned about foot and mouth disease preparedness as feral pigs and deer will be major spreaders of the disease if it reaches our shores,” he said. “The NSW government has no excuse for the scale of this ban and the environment minister must overturn it and let National Parks staff continue to do their jobs safely, professionally and humanely.”

Earlier this year, the association’s members reported an increase in the number of wild dogs and pigs, while deer were expanding their territory. The federal government estimated that, in 2019 and 2020, there were 13.5 million feral pigs nationwide.

A spokesperson for Griffin said the control of feral animals was critically important for conservation efforts right across the state. The suspension only applied to feral animal shooting while other control methods were still being used, the spokesperson said.

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