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In the wild - There are 6,000 brumbies living in one half of Kosciuszko National Park.

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Species endangered by brumbies - Three types of frogs are among the seven endangered animal species and over 20 plant species by the brumbies' dominance over the landscape.

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90% cull - A NSW government study recommended 90% of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park, 5,400 horses, be killed.

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NT, WA, QLD culls - Brumbies are periodically culled in NT and WA, where they are far more populous.

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Helicopter cull - Brumbies are shot from helicopters in NT, WA and QLD, with culls happening in 2009 and 2017.

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Introduced in 1788 - Brumbies were introduced to Australia in 1788 from Portsmouth, England.

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Invasive species - Brumbies are considered an invasive species, whose population grows 20% per year.

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"Unique place in Australian history" - However, Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro, told the Parliament of NSW that brumbies have a "Unique place in Australian history".

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First invasive species protection - This is the first time an Australian government has given protective status to an invasive species in a national park, according the Guardian.

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Revered - Brumbies are revered by some in NSW more than they are in other parts of the country.

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'The Man From Snowy River' - In Banjo Paterson’s poem 'The Man From Snowy River', he recounts a story about a colt running away to join wild horses.

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'The Silver Brumby' - Elyne Mitchell’s 'The Silver Brumby' children’s books were a hit, as were the cartoon and movie adaptations.

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Conservationists oppose ban - But nature conservationists oppose the ban of brumby culls.

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"Greatest conservation threat" - Australian National University associate Professor Graeme Worboys called the ban on culling brumbies the "greatest conservation threat" in 75 years.

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"Destruction of Kosciuszko National Park" - "It would lead to (the) destruction of Kosciuszko National Park as we know it today," the professor said in a statement.

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"Disaster" - “It’s a disaster to our national heritage,” Prof Don Driscoll from Deakin University told the Guardian.

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"Rare animal and fauna species" - “Kosciuszko national park not only contains the nation’s highest mountain, but rare animal and fauna species that evolved in the region over tens of thousands of years.” Prof Don Driscoll told the newspaper.

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High population will lead to starvation - Prof Driscoll also said keeping a high population of brumbies will lead to starvation of the horses, due to increased competition for resources.

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National Parks Association: "international embarrassment" - “The decision is an international embarrassment,” said Alix Goodwin, the chief executive of The National Parks Association of NSW.

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Government values new species of indigenous: National Parks Association of NSW - Goodwin also accused the NSW government of valuing introduced species more than indigenous species.

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NSW Labor would repeal - NSW Labor has vowed to repeal the cull ban if elected.

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NSW Greens: comprimise - "We cannot shoot our way out of this problem; we need sustainable and humane wild horse population control measures, ensuring that we also protect Kosciuszko’s pristine natural environment,” Mehreen Faruqi, of the Green Party said.

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Worlds apart - The opposing sides of this controversy are still worlds apart.

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SavetheBrumbies.com - If you go over to SavetheBrumbies.com, it's evident many people are intent on preserving the animals, despite not being endangered.

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Australian Heritage Brumby - The site refers to the brumbies as the Australian Heritage Brumby and celebrates its history.

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"Alleged threatened parts of some national parks" - The site casts doubt on environmentalists claims that the national parks have endangered species in them.

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The National Conservation Council: “grotesque” - The National Conservation Council's chief executive, Kate Smolski, said the ban on brumby culls was a “grotesque” way of using environmental law, according to the Australian Associated Press.

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“Most destructive pest species” - Smolski also called brumbies the “most destructive pest species” in the region.

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"Control their numbers" - “It is critical that we control their numbers in our alpine areas, and it must be done as humanely as possible.” Smolski said.

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