AUSTRALIANS are expressing concern as aerial shooting of Australia's iconic brumbies (wild horses) resumes in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), while the $42 billion Snowy 2.0 project continues major tunnelling beneath one of the nation's most fragile alpine ecosystems.

Filmmaker Lin Sutherland (TravelwildTV), photojournalist Aldwyn Altuney (Media Queen TV host and Animal Action Events founder), and Viktoria Kirchhoff, Project Manager of Fondation Franz Weber's Wild Horse Sanctuary Bonrook, have joined forces to advocate for Australia's heritage brumbies.

Sutherland has released a new documentary, Songlines of the Brumbies, highlighting the relationship between the Ngarigo people and the wild horses of the Australian Alps. The film features Ngarigo horseman Andrew Wilesmith and explores concerns about the future of the region.

From June 9 to July 11, 2026, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service resumed aerial shooting of brumbies in KNP. The operation has generated debate over animal welfare, conservation and land management.

"Imagine the horror of horses being relentlessly chased by helicopters, running for their lives while family members are shot before their eyes," Sutherland said. "Or imagine the orphaned foals left behind beside the bodies of their dead mothers."

She said local residents believe brumby numbers are far lower than official estimates and fear the remaining heritage population is approaching critical levels.

At the same time, Snowy 2.0 is constructing approximately 40 kilometres of tunnels beneath Kosciuszko National Park.

Andrew Wilesmith believes Indigenous knowledge should play a greater role in future land management.

"This has got to stop. Talk to us about the best way forward. Sit down with us and we'll help educate you on how to manage our lands properly," he said.

The advocates also point to the Wild Horse Sanctuary Bonrook in the Northern Territory, established by Fondation Franz Weber in 1989. Today, around 800 brumbies roam freely across 495 square kilometres of protected bushland alongside numerous native wildlife species.

"I know there is another way; brumbies and native species can thrive side by side," Kirchhoff said. She said Bonrook's nearly 40 years of experience demonstrates that wild horses can coexist with native wildlife while contributing to vegetation management and seed dispersal.

Altuney said many Australians are seeking greater transparency regarding both brumby management and the environmental impacts of Snowy 2.0.

The advocates are calling for an immediate halt to aerial shooting, greater transparency, and consideration of long-term management solutions that protect both Australia's biodiversity and its heritage wild horses.

To watch Songlines of the Brumbies and other TravelwildTV documentaries, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/TravelwildTV