Victoria pledges to remove 1,200 brumbies to protect alps and calls on NSW to act

Environment minister says up to 2,500 wild horses are causing 'significant damage' to plant and animal species

The Victorian government has signed off on a plan to remove more than 1,200 feral horses from the Alpine national park, saying the impact of the animals on sensitive ecosystems has reached critical levels.

Two weeks ago the New South Wales government announced a proposal to protect Kosciuszko national park brumbies, which conservation advocates have labelled a "disaster" for Australia's environmental heritage.