Environmental and animal welfare groups rally against volunteer hunting in NSW national parks

14 June 2012

ALMOST 200 protestors have marched on Macquarie Street in opposition to the State Government's plans to allow hunting in national parks.

Armed with placards and banners the group included members from The Wilderness Society, WIRES and the Blue Mountains Conservation Society.

NSW Nature Conservation Council spokesman Pepe Clarke said the decision to allow hunting was purely political.

"Managing this program will put a huge strain on the already over stretched resources of the National Parks and Wildlife Service," he said.

"Despite the government's claims this is purely a political deal not a sensible means of controlling feral animals."

Earlier, NSW National Parks Association chief executive Kevin Evans said the proposed changes would change the way the public looks at national parks.

NSW Public Service Association general secretary John Cahill agreed, citing safety concerns as another potential hazard to arise from the proposed move.

"Opening the gate for recreational hunting in 79 national parks and other conservation areas in New South Wales poses a serious risk to the safety of park staff, visitors, wildlife and the environment,'' "Allowing non-professional hunters into our national parks raises serious animal welfare concerns, making it very difficult to ensure clean, humane kills of introduced species,'' Lynda Stoner, CEO of Animal Liberation NSW, said.

"Managing this program will put a huge strain on the already overstretched resources of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Despite the Governments claims, this is purely a political deal, not a sensible means of controlling feral animals,'' Pepe Clarke, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, said.

By Nathan Klein and Carleen Frost, Daily Telegraph

 

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