$7150 for each animal killed in NSW hunting program

EXCLUSIVE

Official figures show the government's so-called "pest control" trial, which was introduced by Barry O'Farrell, has cost more than $1.4 million. Photo: Daniel Munoz

How much does it cost to kill a rabbit? More than $7100, if you are the NSW government, whose controversial hunting in national parks program has garnered ridicule from across the political spectrum.

Official figures show the government's so-called "pest control" trial, which began earlier this year, has killed fewer than 200 animals at a cost of $1.416 million.

The bill to taxpayers has cast serious doubt on the cost-effectiveness of the amateur hunting program, which was introduced after former premier Barry O'Farrell struck a deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party.

Some 198 animals, almost 70 per cent of them rabbits, were killed over five operations between February and August. It equates to $7152 for each animal. The government says most spending involved set-up costs.

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Other animals killed included goats, pigs, deer and foxes. The operations involved 43 National Parks and Wildlife Service staff shifts.

Twelve parks are open to the program, which allows volunteer hunters to shoot animalsin an area covering 485,000 hectares.

Not a single animal was killed over two weekend operations at Woomargama National Park and the Goonoo State Conservation Area, despite up to seven staff being rostered on each day.

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$7150 for each animal killed in NSW hunting program