Threats and intimidation against park rangers involved in feral horse control programs are forcing NSW National Parks and Wildlife staff to wear body cameras similar to the devices worn by police.
The Public Service Association union has given evidence to a federal parliamentary inquiry into the impacts and management of feral horses in the Australian alps.
Organiser Kim de Govrik said rangers and staff working around the Kosciuszko National Park had been directed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) not to wear their uniforms out in public.
"So that they're not abused, threatened or face physical violence," he said.
"I mean, it can't get much lower than that."
The union official said the threats had become very serious.
"One such threat was a hand-delivered note to the Jindabyne National Parks office, that the office would be firebombed and hopefully all the staff would be in the office when it was firebombed," he said.
A wild horse management plan was adopted by the NSW Government in 2021 and was designed to reduce wild horse numbers in the national park from 14,000 to 3,000 by 2027.
The program involves passive trapping, rehoming and ground shooting.
Officers from Monaro Police District are continuing investigations into the firebomb threat from September.
A NSW Police spokesperson said as inquiries were ongoing, no further information was available, but encouraged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Body cameras trialled
Mr de Govrik said the frontline workers were highly vulnerable.
"It has gotten to the point where they are now trialling body cameras similar to what the police use for park rangers because they are the ones that have to face these aggressive people in national parks," he said.
"They need to make sure they have the best types of protection available so they don't meet any harm."
The union's submission outlined how staff had been subject to covert surveillance, theft, disruption of their lawful control activities, and warned not to enter some parts of the park due to threats.
"These feral horse activist activities should be publicly decried and that a heightened threat environment exists for National Parks workers because of the morally, socially and legally unacceptable behaviours of feral horse activists," the submission read.
It also said the "current regulations and law enforcement are unable to adequately deal with these behaviours".
It argued there was a need for the Commonwealth to intervene to better protect staff and help all states manage the feral horse numbers.
Attacks 'disappointing'
Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr said the attacks on rangers were "very disturbing".
"Even those trapping and rehoming were being threatened," he said.
"It's a really difficult job, it is extremely tricky, takes a lot of patience and they are actually doing what they can to do the right thing and they are getting attacked.
"I can't make sense of that frankly and I think it is very, very disappointing."
A NSW NPWS spokesperson said the threat to firebomb the office had been condemned at the time as a criminal act and referred to police.
"NPWS has consistently taken a zero-tolerance approach to threats against its staff," they said.
"NPWS has been proactive, providing additional security measures to protect staff and working closely with the NSW Police."
In a statement, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said staff carried out essential work to protect the environment and care for national parks.
"There is no excuse for threats, violence or intimidation of these workers," she said.
Horse numbers increasing
Ms Sharpe told parliament this week there were too many horses in the national park and the state's wild horse management plan required the population to be reduced.
"Currently this target is not on track to be met; in fact, horse numbers have been increasing," she said.
"I note that the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff are doing all they can.
"They have increased the rate of removal while meeting welfare and safety standards, but achieving the target will be a big challenge in that vast, rugged landscape.
"The government is working with the department to see how quickly it can deliver the plan."
The Senate inquiry is due to report back to the federal government in June.
