Integrative Ecology Education
Feral Horses in the Alpine Region
Understanding the impact of feral horses in the Alpine Region
Within the Alpine Regions of Victoria, feral horses have become a danger to the environment they reside in. Hard hoofed animals, as large as horses, have strongly impacted the vegetation and wildlife around them. Although they are not native to Australian culture, they are seen as a national heritage to the country.
Investigations conducted by Prof. Don Driscoll, as well as many other researchers, have revealed that feral horses are responsible for a considerable amount of damage to the ecosystem.
Damage to the environment transpires further than just the plant-life. Their impact contributes to a cascade of alterations, influencing the interactions between the flora, and the fauna.
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The impact feral horses can have on critically endangered species within the same environment has become more prevalent than ever. As such, it is becoming more and more important to develop ways to mitigate damage to the environment.
Victorian Curriculum Links
Levels 7/8
Science Understanding:
Science as a Human Endeavour
​Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations (VCSSU090)
Biological Sciences​
Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs and can be affected by human activity (VCSSU093)
Science Inquiry Skills​:
Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to identify relationships, evaluate claims and draw conclusions (VCSIS111)
Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems including identifying impacts and limitations of conclusions and using appropriate scientific language and representations (VCSIS113)
Don Driscoll's Symposium Presentation
Feral horse impacts and more: Integrating science with social science and animal welfare to inform feral horse management.
Professor Don Driscoll presents evidence that feral horses are impacting the natural environment and ecosystems including critically endangered species. He proposes optimal numbers of feral horses for habitat recovery and considers the various methods of feral horse control.