NSW is considering controversial changes to environmental rules to allow aerial shooting of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park.

The government is seeking feedback on a proposed change to the park’s wild horse management plan that would green light shooting of brumbies from the air.

It “would be an additional option for the control of wild horses alongside the existing methods such as trapping and rehoming, and ground shooting,” the government said in a statement said on Monday.

“Kosciuszko National Park’s ecosystems are under threat.

“There is widespread recognition of the urgent need to reduce numbers of wild horses to protect more than 30 native threatened species.”

The consultation comes amid surging numbers of wild horses in the state’s alpine region and long-running opposition from brumby activists to stricter control measures.

The government says it must cut the brumby population to 3000 in part of the park by mid 2027.

It estimates there are up to about 23,000 wild horses in the park.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said without action wild horses could tip threatened species into extinction.

“There are simply too many wild horses for the park to cope,” Ms Sharpe said.

“We must consider the introduction of aerial shooting, carried out by skilled, highly trained shooters to the highest animal-welfare standards.”

NSW Greens environment spokesperson Sue Higginson backed the move, saying the government had a responsibility to manage invasive species in the park.

“It is not acceptable that feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park are pushing critically endangered species to extinction,” Ms Higginson said.

Jack Gough, from the Invasive Species Council – a lobby group for stronger environmental laws – said the announcement was an important decision.

“(It) reflects that the public mood has shifted on this issue,” Mr Gough said.

“No one likes to see animals killed, but the sad reality is that we have a choice to make between urgently reducing the numbers of feral horses or accepting the destruction of sensitive alpine ecosystems and habitats.”

Nature Conservation Council of NSW said wild horses had a devastating impact on alpine ecosystems and Indigenous heritage.

“Based on the best available evidence, ground and aerial shooting represent the most humane and effective population control methods,” the group’s CEO Jacqui Mumford said.

Opposition environment spokesperson Kellie Sloane has been contacted for comment.

– AAP